DODGE CITY – Larry G. Stegman, 90, passed away Monday, April 24, 2023 at his home in Dodge City, Kansas, with his loving wife of 64 years, daughter and son-in-law by his side. Larry was born November 8, 1932, on the family farm near Hanston, Kansas the son of Andrew and Katherine (Spahn) Stegman. He graduated from Jetmore High School with the class of 1952. After high school he enlisted in the Navy from 1952 -1956, serving with an elite group that adopted the name Orphans of the Pacific, during the Korean War. This fostered lifelong friendships and for the past 30 years he and Jean have attended reunions once a year with his Navy buddies.

In 1958, he met and married the love of his life Norma Jean Hey. Larry and Jean were married on October 4, 1958. They started their married life in Wichita, Kansas where Larry worked for Boeing for one year, followed by a 35 year career working for Southwestern Bell, living in Liberal, Kansas and moving to Dodge City in 1973. He eventually became manager of network maintenance at the Dodge City office. Larry’s true passion was working on the family farm, growing various crops. He was an engineer at heart, always finding a better, more efficient way to achieve the work that needed to be done. He loved to build things, using and reusing material, helping others build and fix things on the farm and around the house. Larry was a member of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe and Howard Gotschall VFW Post 1714 both in Dodge City. Larry shared his faith by his service for the church, joining the Knights of Columbus in 1949 where he held various offices including Grand Knight in the 3rd Degree and Faithful Navigator in the 4th Degree. Larry was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers, Jerome, Paul, Leonard, Melvin and four sisters, Irene, Lucille, Maria and Ruth Ann.

Survivors include his wife, Jean; daughter, Kimberly Neighbor (Dale) of Knoxville, Tennessee; 2 grandchildren, Rebecca Long (Terrence) and Andrew Neighbor (Megan) and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be Sunday, April 30, 2023, from 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm and with the family beginning at 6:00 pm at Ziegler Funeral Chapel. Vigil service followed by Knights of Columbus rosary will begin at 7:00 pm Sunday. Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 am Monday, May 1, 2023 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe, 3231 N. 14th Ave., Dodge City, with Fr. Wesley Schawe presiding. Burial will follow in Greencrest Memorial Gardens, Dodge City, with military rites by American Legion District 8 and the United States Navy. The family suggests memorials to the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe in care of Ziegler Funeral Chapel, 1901 N. 14th Ave., Dodge City, Kansas 67801. Condolences may be sent to www. zieglerfuneralchapel.com.