John E. Karn, 82, of Wathena, Kansas passed away at his home, Wednesday, August 22, 2018.

John was born June 16, 1936 in Bendena, Kansas to John A. and Florence (Leimbach) Karn.  He graduated from Bendena High School, in 1954 and then resided in Wathena, Kansas for the majority of his life.  He was in the banking business for 39 years.  He graduated from the University of Wisconsin School of Banking.  He was the bank president and Chairman of the Board for the Stockyard’s Bank in St. Joseph, Missouri until its closing in 1986.  He then worked for the Wathena Farmers State Bank as a Vice President until retirement in 1999.

John was a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Wathena, K of C Council #9532 of St. Joseph’s Church of Wathena and Faithful Navigator of 4th Degree Wm. Jochems Assembly of Atchison.  He was a lifelong member of South Side Sertoma of St. Joseph, Missouri.  He was an active member in the community serving as a Wathena School Board member, and chairing multiple ABA and state banking boards.

He married Ruth Staudenmaier on October 4, 1958. She survives of the home.  John was preceded in death by his parents & a sister, Mary Mieras.

Additional survivors include his children, Mark Karn of Ottawa, Kansas

 Janette Karn Mahin (Enrik) of Wathena, Kansas

 Cheryl Matlack (Tim) of St. Joseph, Missouri

 Rodger Karn (Julie) of Wathena, Kansas

 Grandchildren, Derrick, Jocelyn, Madison Karn & Ian & Caleb Matlack

Numerous nieces & nephews

MASS:  10:30 A.M. Monday, August 27, 2018 at the  St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Wathena

 Rosary: 6:00 P.M. Sunday evening at the church, with visitation to follow until 8 P.M. Friends may call after 12 noon Saturday at the Harman-Rohde Funeral Home in Wathena.

 Burial:  Mount Calvary Cemetery – Wathena

Memorials:  K of C #9532, St. Joseph Church Cemetery Fund  or South Side Sertoma Club 

  www.harmanrohde.com