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Elmer Tanking

Aug 3, 2022

Elmer Franklin Tanking, 88, Tonganoxie, KS (passed away peacefully) on Thursday July 21, 2022, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital surrounded by his family. Funeral Mass will be 10 am Thursday July 28, 2022, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Tonganoxie. The family will receive friends Wednesday evening 6-­8
pm at the church where a Rosary will be said at 7:45pm. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Tonganoxie.

Elmer was born at home in Seneca, KS on July 18, 1934, the son of Alfred and Catherine Runnebaum Tanking. Elmer grew up in Seneca, KS on the Tanking Farm. Elmer graduated from Saint Peter and Paul
High School in 1952. He joined the US Army in 1953, serving 2 years duty in Austria returning home as US Army Reserve until he was honorably discharged in 1961. After returning from Austria, he moved to Topeka to start his career as a plasterer with Bob Florence Construction. During this time, he met the love of his life, Anna Lea Wright, and they married on June 13, 1959. Starting their family, born to them were 1 daughter, Tammy, and 3 sons, Mike, Gery, and Tracy (Biff), whom he raised with love and life values that he instilled throughout his life. Raising his family in Kansas City, KS but always wanting to move back to the country life.

In 1969, he started his own Drywall Plastering business which he managed for 50 successful years. In 1974, he moved the family to Tonganoxie, where he raised Angus cattle as owner of Mr. T Cattle Company. This led him to his passion of rodeo as a Team Roper. He traveled with his wife and kids to events most weekends. His rodeo days ended with an injury, although he could not compete any longer, he remained a fan of rodeo events all his life. As a proud veteran, he became active with the VFW Post #9271. He oversaw construction of the new building that is currently used. He was honored to serve as post commander for three years. His greatest pleasure was to be with his family, cooking his famous hams. Having a friendly poker game, watching Chiefs football games and KU Basketball games.

He will be greatly missed and forever loved by his family. He was preceded in death by his parents Alf
and Kate, 3 brothers, Regis, Jerry, John and 1 sister, Alda. Elmer is survived by his wife Anna Lea Tanking of the home, his daughter Tammy (Dave) Wasson, of Tonganoxie, his 3 sons, Mike (Donna) Tanking of
Tonganoxie, Gery (Debbie) Tanking of Leavenworth, Tracy (Donna) Tanking of Kearney, MO. Seven grandchildren Leigh Anna Foster of Hulbert, OK, Jourdan (Clayton) Brewer of Edmond, OK, Madison (Jason) Crook of Leavenworth, Garrett Tanking of Springfield, MO, Grant Tanking of Kearney, MO, Austin
Ward of Leavenworth, Tanna (Matt) Soetaert of Tonganoxie. Six great grandchildren. Two sisters Eileen Meyer of Sabetha and Jeri Ann Matzke of Silver Lake. Many nieces, nephews and other relatives and
friends.

The family suggests contributions to Sacred Heart Catholic Church or VFW Post 9271.