Lynn Bohnenblust

Lynn Arlan Bohnenblust, 58, of Leonardville, Kansas passed away peacefully on July 12, 2022, at the Leonardville Nursing Home, surrounded by his wife, children and granddaughter, ending his 27 year battle with Multiple Sclerosis.

Born on September 6, 1963, to Arlan and Nancy (Foulke) Bohnenblust, Lynn grew up on a farm near Riley with his three siblings. During his youth he enjoyed 4-H, FFA, baseball, football, fishing, hunting and working on the family farm. Agriculture ran through his blood. A few of Lynn’s most proud accomplishments from his youth include being a member of the State 4-H Horticulture Judging team and receiving his FFA American Farmer Degree. 

Lynn graduated from Riley County High School in 1981. He attended Cloud County Community College and Fort Hays State University, graduating with a degree in Industrial Arts Education. While at Cloud County he was a member of the Great Society and played baseball, where at the time he held the record for the most stolen bases. During his time at Fort Hays, Lynn was awarded the Champion Swine Showman at the Block & Bridle Little I, was a member of the livestock judging team and very much enjoyed the buffalo statue.

On November 30, 1985, Lynn married his high school sweetheart Becki Murphy at Grace Baptist Church in Manhattan, Kansas. God blessed them with three beautiful children: Krista, Kascha and Zach.

In 1986, Lynn began his working career with Gene Williams Construction, where his claim to fame was installing all the tin on the roof of the Manhattan Town Center. In 1989, his career path shifted towards financial services, where he helped families become debt free and financially secure. In 1995, Lynn was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Over the next 13 years, he was determined to not let the disease define or defeat him. Once his MS started to progress rapidly, his focus shifted from serving families to making a positive impact on the younger generation. His drive for this led him to substitute teach at the Riley County and Clay County Community High Schools in the woods shop, agriculture classes and in-school suspension. Anytime he saw the chance to make a positive change in someone’s life, he grabbed the opportunity. 

A true family man, Lynn enjoyed spending time with his children, which included coaching their many sports teams (football, baseball and softball), enjoying the outdoors (farming, fishing, gardening and hunting) as well as woodworking. Starting at a young age, Lynn was intricately involved in the Riley County 4-H organization. He wanted to make sure his children and other community youth had the same opportunities he had growing up to learn the various life skills 4-H had to offer. From club member to project superintendent, from parent to 4-H Family of the Year, he played many roles over the decades. Knowing his time was limited, he made it a priority to teach his children and others how to work hard, be humble, always have a positive attitude and never give up.

Over the last four years, Lynn was a resident at the Leonardville Nursing Home where he enjoyed visits from friends and family. He always had two rules: sign your name in his book and take a piece of candy. If he knew you had kids or grandkids at home, he’d tell you to take a piece of candy for them. His giving heart continued to shine through even in the final days of his life. When he was not watching K-State Football reruns or Walker Texas Ranger, he loved having jam sessions where he introduced others to his favorite music of Home Free, REO Speedwagon and Meatloaf.

Lynn is survived by his loving wife, Becki; daughter Krista (Branden) Moore, Clay Center; daughter Kascha (Anthony) Johnson, Chanute; and son Zach, Leonardville; grandchildren Taelyn Johnson and Cadence Brinker; his parents, Arlan and Nancy, Riley; brother Jeff (Dee) Bohnenblust, Altamont; brother Jay (Brenda) Bohnenblust, Clay Center; sister, Karla (Doug) Reisner, Hoisington; his in-laws, David and Angie Murphy, Manhattan; his brother-in-law, Dan (Diane) Murphy, Manhattan; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends who all love, cherish and adore him.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Herbert and Emma Bohnenblust, and Leroy and Hazel Foulke.

Lynn touched many lives with his giving heart, strength, perseverance and orneriness. He loved Jesus and no doubt sprinted right through the pearly gates and into His loving arms.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. on July 21, 2022 at the Anderes-Pfeifley Funeral Home.

A Celebration of Life service is planned for 11:00 a.m. on July 22, 2022 at the First Baptist Church of Clay Center. A luncheon will immediately follow the funeral service in the church fellowship hall. Burial will be in the Leonardville United Methodist Cemetery. Those attending are encouraged to wear your favorite sport’s team colors as Lynn was a diehard Riley County Falcons, K-State Wildcats, Kansas City Royals and Kansas City Chiefs fan. 

The family suggests memorials be given to the Lynn A. Bohnenblust Memorial Fund, with plans of a scholarship being set up at a later date. Memorials may be left in care of the Anderes-Pfeifley Funeral Home.