James Stehno

James LeRoy Stehno was born December 22, 1937 to Edward J. and Martha M. (Shimanek) Stehno on the family farm and lived his entire life on this farm one mile south of Munden, Kansas. He was a lifelong member of St. George Catholic Church in Munden. Jim went to be with his Lord Thursday, September 4, 2014 after battling cancer and other difficulties for several years. He was 76 years of age. His strong faith helped him cope and not complain, but courageously suffered through them until God called him home. Family was always his first priority. His wife, children, grandchildren meant the world to him. What he lived for was his family and extended family. Jim was a lifelong member of the Knights of Columbus having attained his Fourth Degree. As a member of the Army National Guard, he was called to active duty in 1961 and served at El Paso, Texas and Aberdeen, Maryland. Jim was also a member of the Republic County Czech Club and was instrumental in helping develop the Munden and Narka Rural Fire Department. He served as President of this organization as well. Although Jim drove the school bus for 30 years, farming was his life. He grew up helping his Dad and then took over the farming operation planting and raising the crops, raising cattle, hogs, and chickens. Jim was united in marriage to Rita Pachta on August 21, 1962 at St. Edwards Church in Belleville and to this union three children were born: Michele, Melanie and Mark. Jim was preceded in death by his parents. He will be forever remembered by his wife Rita of their home; children Michele Hoffmann and husband Bill, Wichita, Kansas, Melanie Stehno, Smith Center, Kansas, and Mark Stehno and wife Carrie, Nixa, Missouri; his grandchildren Nicholas and wife Stephanie Hoffmann, Seattle, WA, Magdalen and Mitchell Stehno, Nixa, MO; his sisters Catharine Pachta and husband Joe, Belleville, Kansas and Theresa Donahue and husband Mike, Wilmington, North Carolina; brother Ed Stehno and wife Donna of Hays, Kansas; many nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends. Visitation and viewing will be Wednesday noon to 8:00pm and Thursday 9:00am to 5:00pm at the funeral home. A rosary/vigil will be Thursday, 7:30pm at St. Edwards Catholic Church , Belleville, Kansas. Celebration of the Funeral Mass will be 10:30am Friday, September 12, 2014 at St. Edwards Catholic Church with Father Brian Lager officiating. Burial will be in St. George Cemetery rural Munden, Kansas. Memorials can be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph c/o PO Box 279, Concordia, KS 66901. Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home, Belleville, Kansas is handling these arrangements.