Edwin A. Pahls

Edwin A. Pahls, of Cawker City, Kansas, was born to Mathew H and Florence (Thomas) Pahls on September 23, 1922, on their farm south of Cawker City, Kansas. Edwin passed away, in his home surrounded by his loving family, during the early morning hours of Thursday, January 5, 2017, at the age of 94. Edwin grew up on the Pahls family farm and attended the one-room Hazeltine School south of Cawker City. He graduated in 1942 from Cawker City High School, where he lettered in football and band.
Prior to entering military service, Edwin lived in Wichita and worked on the Boeing production line for bombers. He entered the Army Air Force in July 1943, where he received specialized training in Detroit, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Chicago to service B-29 bombers and other reconnaissance aircraft before shipping out to the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre where he served on Guam with the 55thWeather Reconnaissance Squadron. During WWII, Edwin reached the rank of Sergeant and earned the American Service Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Theatre Ribbon, Victory Medal and Good Conduct Medal. He was honorably discharged in January 1946, and was released at Fort Logan, southwest of Denver, Colo.
It was at a WWII ballroom dance in Denver that Edwin met Bernadine Baker, from Western Kansas, who was attending the Denver Stock Show with her family. They were married on Aug. 20, 1946, and established their home in rural Cawker City. They were married for 59 years, until Bernadine's passing, and they were blessed with five children – Terry, Janel, Dennis, Galen and Faye Ann. Edwin took great pride in not only farming and raising cattle, but also instilling a love for the land in his children and grandchildren. He never truly retired and stayed engaged in the farm activities – always ready to ride along to check on cattle and crops.
Edwin was a lifetime member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Knights of Columbus and local farming cooperatives. He served a number of years as Commander of American Legion Post 379 in Cawker City. In September 2008, Edwin joined more than 100 WWII veterans on an Honor Flight from northwest Kansas to visit the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. The veterans were flown from Salina to Washington, D.C., where they were greeted by then Kansas Congressman Jerry Moran, and they also visited other sites in Washington. This was a highlight for Edwin in his later years and renewed his pride and patriotism for having served his country. Edwin was also a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church and served as Parish Council President along with volunteering for his parish for many years.
Survivors include his children Terry Pahls (Sue), of Garden City; Janel Rose (David), of Great Bend; Dennis Pahls, of Cawker City; Galen Pahls (Jane), of Jewell; and Faye Ann Toepfer, of St. Louis, Mo.; brother, Raymond Pahls, of Wichita; sister, Agnes MacDonald, of Wichita; sister-in-law Margaret (James) Pahls, of Coppell, Tex.; brother-in-law Piet DeRee, of Wichita; nine grandchildren, Mike Pahls, Laura Pahls, Nathan Rose, Marisa Rose, Katelyn Pahls, Gabe Pahls, Nick Pahls, Allison Toepfer and Andrew Toepfer; two step-grandchildren, Rachel (Dave) Chapman and Angela Williams (Preston) Porras; two great-grandchildren, Naomi & Akilah Pahls; five step-great grandchildren, Abigail, Levi, Tristan, Lexi and Remington; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife Bernadine; parents Math and Florence Pahls; two brothers, James Pahls and Dean Pahls; and five sisters, Adeline Robinson, Lucille Schmiedeler, Rosella DeRee, Genevieve Dekker, and Mary Kathleen (Kay) Johnston; sister-in-law Thelma (Raymond) Pahls; and four brothers-in-law, Kenneth Robinson, Francis Schmiedeler, John Dekker, and Roger MacDonald.

Funeral services will be at 10 AM Monday, January 9 at the Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Cawker City. Visitation will be from 5:30-6:30 PM Sunday at the Church, followed by a vigil & rosary service. Memorials may be given to Catholic Charities, Sisters of St. Joseph (Concordia), Care for Elder Sisters Fund, or Solomon Valley Hospice, all in care of the funeral home.