Glen O. Strnad, 80, Munden, died Monday, August 15, 2011 at Republic County Long Term Care,
Belleville
. He was born August 12, 1931, at the family home 3 � miles east of Munden. He was the third of eight children born to Bohumil Milek "B.M." and Lois Elizabeth (
Sanford
) Strnad. Glen attended and graduated from Bethlehem, a one-room school house in rural Munden, and then from Munden High School in 1949. Glen worked on the family farm with his father and brothers, and helped his uncle farm near Brewster, Kansas until he was drafted in 1951 into the United States Marine Corps, where he was stationed in San Diego, California. Glen was trained as a cook and an MP. He was honorably discharged in 1953, with the rank of Cpl. Glen attended on-the-job farm training on the G.I. Bill. Glen was active in local and state politics, and it was while attending a Farmer's Union meeting at
Albion
school house that he met his future wife, school teacher Margery J. Morey. They were united in marriage on August 16, 1954 in
Haddam
,
Kansas
. Glen and Marge farmed and raised livestock their entire married lives near the family farm in rural Munden, Kansas.
Glen, following in his father's footsteps, was very active in his church. He was baptized, and later confirmed, in the Zion Evangelical Church of Munden, Kansas. He was a life-long member, held the position of Elder for 25 years, and was Sunday School Superintendent & High School Sunday School teacher for 30 years. He taught all six of his children. Glen was also Sec/Treas of the New Tabor Cemetery Board from 1961 until 2007, a position held by his grandfather, father, and now his daughter.
In the effort to promote Kansas agriculture, Glen was past Chairman of the Kansas Wheat Commission under Governor Bob Docking, and traveled extensively through Latin and South America, promoting Kansas wheat products as a member of the National Great Plains Wheat Commission. He was also a firm believer in preserving the land for future generations, and was Chairman of the Republic County Soil Conservation District for 26 years. Glen was also active in Farmer's
Union
, and held numerous positions, as well as serving on many different committees. Glen was a member of the Kansas Highway Commission under Governor John Carlin. He was an avid Democrat, and as such was Chairman of the Republic County Democratic Central Committee for many years. Glen was a member of the Kansas State Democratic Committee and was a delegate to the National Democratic Convention in 1980. Glen also served his community, and was Mayor of the City of Munden.
Glen was preceded in death by his parents; daughters Joyce Marie Polansky, Ruth Elaine Strnad and Martha Lorene Strnad; grandson Adrian John II (A.J.) Polansky; brothers Billy W., Shirley E., and Roger W. Strnad; sister Betty Bowers Piroutek; brothers-in-law Wayne Bowers, Ernest Piroutek, Wesley Rundus and Roger Parrack.
He is survived by his wife Margery Strnad of their home; daughters Elizabeth Ann Strnad and Retha Irene & husband David Blecha of Munden; sons Sam Strnad of Munden and Jonathan Ward & wife Staci Strnad of Belleville; and son-in-law Adrian Polansky and wife Kris of Manhattan, Kansas. Seven grandchildren Amber Woehl & husband Joe, Adam Polansky & wife Sara, Josef Blecha, Joelle Feight & husband Bob, Marta Blecha, and Morgan and Grant Strnad. Five great-grandchildren Joseph and Jacob Woehl, A.J. and Ayden Polansky and Ellyn Feight. Glen is also survived by a brother Henry Strnad & wife Anita of Munden; sisters Patsy & husband William Taylor of Pekin, Illinois and Mary Rundus of Munden; sisters-in-law Josephine Strnad of Munden, Phyllis Strnad of Scandia, Cheryl Strnad-Runft & husband Myron of Belleville and Retha Parrack of Haddam; brothers-in-law Lee Morey & wife Joyce and Joe Morey & wife Suzanne; 62 nieces and nephews, and a multitude of friends, because Glen never knew a stranger. Funeral services will be held 10:00am Friday, August 19, 2011 at Zion Evangelical Church in Munden, Kansas with Pastor Harvey Farnsworth officiating. Burial with military honors by the American Legion Post No. 345, Cuba in Tabor Cemetery near Munden. Visitation will be Wednesday and Thursday 9-9pm. A memorial service led by Henry Strnad will be at 7:00pm Thursday. Memorials to the Glen O. Strnad Memorial. Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home, Belleville, Kansas is handling these arrangements.
