Richard Donald Tanking, 62, of Sabetha, formally of Wetmore, died at the Sabetha Hospital on Friday, September 2, 2022.

He was born at the Holton Hospital on January 21, 1960 to Lawrence F. “Doc” and Cecilia Mary Peppersack Tanking. He grew up in the Wetmore community and attended special education classes, graduating from Jackson Heights High School in 1981.  He lived with his parents on their farm southeast of Wetmore and when they retired in 1977 and moved to Wetmore, he moved with them.

In 1988, he entered NCTC in Sabetha and thru their sheltered workshop was employed by Midway Restaurant and Buzz Café washing dishes. He also worked at Extru-Tech as well as Koch Truck Stop cleaning.  In 2004, he began washing dishes at Sac and Fox Casino until his health prohibited him from doing so.

Richard enjoyed computer games; and enjoyed playing cards digitally and in person. He enjoyed sports and was a KSU, Chiefs and Royals fan. He was a member of St James Catholic Church in Wetmore and the Wetmore Knights of Columbus.

He was preceded in death by his father on July 29, 1997; his mother on March 15, 2012; a sister, Berneta Shults on June 20, 2019; a brother, James Tanking on February 5, 1988; and a brother-in-law, John Cheray on May 5, 2022.

He is survived by five brothers, Donald (Barbara) Tanking of Topeka, Larry (Alberta) Tanking of Holton, Gerald (Denise) Tanking of St. Marys, Kenneth (Louise) Tanking of Holton and Randall (Alice) Tanking of Wetmore; a sister, Mary Lou Cheray of Topeka; a brother-in-law, Dean Shults of Topeka; and many nieces and nephews.

A visitation will begin at 9AM on Wednesday, September 7, 2022, at St. James Catholic Church in Wetmore; with a rosary being prayed at 9:30AM.  The Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 AM, directly following the rosary, at St. James Catholic Church in Wetmore. Burial will be in the Wetmore Cemetery.

Memorials may be given in Richard’s memory for the Sabetha Nemaha County Training Center, sent in care of the family.

To express your sympathy and for more information visit www.lauerfuneralhome.com .