February 17, 2016

Louis Howard Feldman, age 91, died Feb. 15, 2016, at Louisburg Care Center, Louisburg, Kan.

Louis was born April 11, 1924, the son of August and Nellie May Bible Feldman on their Osage Township farm, south of Fontana, Kan., in Miami County. He attended several one-room country schools and graduated from La Cygne High School in 1942. Louis spent his early years farming with his father, working at the Whiteford Ranch (where he learned to drive) and helped with the operation of Murray’s Lake (now known as Miami County State Lake).

Louis served his country in World War II as a combat engineer, seeing action in the European Theater. Attached to the 1266th Combat Engineer Battalion, he was both a heavy truck driver and rifle marksman. During the waning months of the war, Louis supported General Patton’s Third Army in their advance across France into Germany as his battalion was one of the first engineer units to build a bridge across the Rhine River. One of Louis’s final military acts was to help construct prisoner-of-war stockades to hold captured Nazi soldiers. Corporal Feldman was decorated with the Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle East Medal, World War II Victory Medal, and Honorable Discharge pin. Louis was a member of the American Legion and remained a dedicated patriot the remainder of his life. He expressed special empathy for our Vietnam veterans.

Louis married Betty Lynette Hurd of Muskogee, Okla., on June 15, 1947. Louis and Betty were the parents of five daughters. They established a farming and cattle operation in the New Lancaster, Kan., community in 1959. They farmed together for over 50 years. They were members of the Fontana Church of Christ for many years. No couple expressed more love for and devotion to one another than Louis and Betty. Their unconditional love for their large family was evident throughout their lives. They were the proud grandparents of 12 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren with three more great-grandchildren due this year. Louis enjoyed teaching his grandchildren about farming, learning to drive tractors and farm trucks, telling Hiawatha stories, camping together on vacations and stressing the importance of a good education.

Louis was preceded in death by his wife, Betty, of 62 years; his parents; two brothers Charles and Franklin; and three sisters Marie, Dorothy and Hattie.

He is survived by one sister Hazel Lowe of Bonner Springs, Kan.; and one brother-in-law William Herbert Hurd Jr. of Claremore, Okla. Louis will also be greatly missed by his five daughters: Carolyn and husband Larry Harding of Louisburg, Kan.; Nancy and husband John Heidrick of La Cygne, Kan.; Doris and husband Henry Williamson of Meadville, Mo.; Patty and husband Michael Yocam of Paola, Kan.; and Debra Smotherman of Overland Park, Kan.; and their families.

Visitation is 6–8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 19, 2016, at Penwell-Gable Funeral Home, 305 N. Pearl St., Paola, Kan. Service is 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016, at New Lancaster United Methodist Church, 36665 New Lancaster Rd., Paola, Kan. Burial is in New Lancaster Cemetery.

The family suggests memorial contributions to New Lancaster Methodist Church, Fontana Church of Christ, La Cygne Historical Society and Crossroads Hospice of Lenexa, Kan.

To leave a special message for the family online, please visit www.PenwellGabelPaola.com, 913-294-2372.