January 11, 2022

Linn County News

Published Jan. 12, 2022

Earl A. Lash, 96, passed away at home in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Jan. 1, 2022, to join his Family in Heaven. Earl was born Dec. 14, 1925, on the family farm in Republic County, Kan., the son of Bernie L. and Caro May Goppert Lash (died 1928) and Florence.

Earl graduated from Norway High School. He was a farmer, served in the U.S. Navy, a banker and an investor. He was united in marriage to Rosalee Daggs in 1951. Earl bought the 1st National Bank in Pleasanton, Kan., in 1955. He and his family successfully ran the bank, and it grew to be the largest bank in the county when he sold it.

Earl was an active member of the community. He was a 32nd degree Mason, belonged to the Christian Church and supported the Rotary Club and Chamber of Commerce.

During his retirement, he moved to Overland Park, Kan., and earned an associate degree from JCCC. He concentrated on his investments. He made several philanthropic donations to churches in Pleasanton and the Highland Baptist Church near Norway, Kan.

He traveled, lived in California twice, Concordia Kan., to care for Florence, and finally settled in Colorado Springs.

Earl’s final year was supported with loving care from family, friends and an excellent team of caregivers, which allowed him to remain in his home. He loved looking from his balcony across the Garden of the Gods to the top of Pikes Peak. 

He is finally at Peace … 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bernie L., Caro May (Goppert) and Florence Lash; and his sisters, Eldred Lash, Eva Atkinson, Irene Swenson and Donna Morris. 

He is survived by his sister, Bernice Ramsbottom; three sons, James, Daniel and David Lash; six grandchildren, Chris, Jakob, Zackery, Nick, Jason, and Ryan; 10 great-grandchildren; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. He also maintained a long-term relationship with Ann Clark.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to your favorite charity or the VA or Hospice.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022, at the Bachelor-Surber Funeral Home, Belleville, Kan.

The family will greet friends from 1 p.m. until service time on Saturday and after the service until 3 p.m.

Military rites will be conducted by the U. S. Navy Honor Guard.

Interment will follow the services at Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, rural Norway, Kan.

A memorial service will be held later in the spring of 2022 at the Highland Baptist Church at the Republic County Historical Society Museum, Belleville.

Online condolences at: www.bachelor-surber.com

Services are under the direction of the Bachelor-Surber Funeral Home, 1322 19th St., Belleville.