Loren Francis Hladky

Loren Francis Hladky, born in Delia, Kansas and lived for 94 years and 365 days, passing May 31. The seventh child of Charles and Anna (Macha) Hladky with four younger siblings. He graduated from Delia High School in1938 and went into the Kansas National Guard in 1939. With the war breaking out Europe he enlisted in the regular Army in 1940 going into the Medical Corp at Fort Riley and was trained as an X-ray Technician. He was honorably discharged in October 1945.

While in the Army he met his wife, Elsie and they were married August 23, 1941 in Manhattan, KS. On October 31, 1944 their only child, son Harold was born. Loren and Elsie were married over 71 years ending in her passing on November 8, 2012.

Following his military service, Loren and family moved to Topeka to work for Winter General Hospital as an X-ray technician in 1946. He retired after 28 years in the position of Chief X-ray technician. Their first home was just north of Washburn University. After spending several years remodeling that house he started building his first new house in 1954 in the southwestern part of Topeka. Over the next 20 years the family started a series of selling a house, buying a small fixer-up to upgrade, and building a new house, ending with the fifth new house northwest of town off Brickyard Road. Along with these houses he built a cottage on Tuttle Creek Reservoir which is still in the family. Over a forty year period he also built several new houses for other people and two cottages at Tuttle Creek near his cottage and did remodeling on numerous more. He was always available to family and friends as a handyman.

Loren and Elsie loved to travel. They purchased a pull behind camper and joined the International Camping Organization spending many enjoyable events at the local, state and national level. The first camper was soon replaced with a fifth wheel unit as the trips got longer. In succeeding years their camping experiences took them to Alaska, the World's Fair in Knoxville, the Southern tip of Baya California as well as most of the United States and Eastern Canada. They also took many oversee tours, include Hawaii, many of the European countries, China and the Far East, Australia, New Zealand and finally to Iceland. The one trip they regretfully had to cancel was to Antarctica. They also spent many days at their favorite location in the Branson, Missouri area.

In his spare time Loren was also a scout master (at one time it was the largest scout troop in the United States) while his son was in Boy Scouts and went on to start an Explorer Group and a Cub Pack at the same location. Gardening was also a passion with many hours spent tilling, planting, weeding, harvesting and canning. For many years he hunted with his hunting dogs. He had a passion for games, especially Pinochle which he finally gave up as his eye sight got worse. During the '51 flood Loren helped get people out, sandbagged, and then helped clean up. He volunteered at the Legion for years, especially collecting money for bingo. He also helped with the Delia High School reunions. He regretted not being able to make the last one, because he was to be with his family at his 95th birthday party.

Survivors include a son, Harold (Gail) Hladky of Battle Creek, MI; grandchildren, Heather Hladky (Dan) Robinson of Olathe, KS, Shawn Hladky of Denver, CO; step-grandson, Mark (Stephanie) Fitch of Rolla, MO; great-grandchildren, Kyle and Ashlee Robinson; and a sister, Maxine Grimes of Norfolk, VA.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a grandson, Brian Hladky, and 9 siblings, Henry, Margaret, Elsie, Charles, Ernie, Mildred, Leo, Donald and Betty

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Thursday, June 5, 2014 at University United Methodist Church, 1621 SW College Ave, Topeka, KS 66604 where he was a member. Interment will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery, Topeka. Loren will lie in state after 3 p.m., Wednesday at the Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Chapel, 1321 SW 10th Ave., Topeka, where the family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to University United Methodist Church or Midland Care, 200 SW Frazier Circle, Topeka, KS 66606.

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