Fred Padden

Funeral service for Fred L. Padden, 92, of Winfield, Kansas will be held 2:30 p.m., Friday, April 8, 2011 at the Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence, Kansas.  Mr. Padden died Tuesday, April 5, 2011 at his daughter’s home in Lawrence, Kansas.  Burial will be in the Oak Hill Cemetery in Lawrence, Kansas.

Fred was born November 7, 1918 in Osage City, Kansas the son of Paul M. and Rho E. (Loomis) Padden.  He was raised in Toronto, Kansas and was a graduate of Toronto High School in 1935.  He attended the University of Kansas and later graduated from Williams Institute of Mortuary Science in Kansas City.  He, with his father and brother owned the Padden Funeral Home in Frankfort, Kansas from 1944-1973 and the Padden Funeral Home in Holton, Kansas from 1950-1964. In Holton, he also owned the Padden Furniture Store and the Federated Department Store for a number of years. He purchased the Morris Funeral Home in Winfield, Kansas in 1973.  Morris Funeral Home and Swisher- Taylor Funeral Home merged in the late 1970’s and became the Swisher-Taylor and Morris Funeral Home. He retired in 1986.

He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Winfield, Kansas.  In Holton, Kansas , Fred was very active in the community, serving as The local Rotary International President, District Rotarian Governor, Jackson County  Coroner, and President of the Local Red Cross.  Fred was an accomplished tenor soloist.  He was the lead soloist for the Holton community Messiah for many years and sang at many weddings and funerals throughout his professional life.

Fred was known as a young man for his athletic accomplishments including holding a KU Relays prep record in high Jump and broad jump that was not broken for many years.  He was affectionately called the Toronto High School one man track team winning many track meets and state championships. While at the University of Kansas he was a member of the KU Track Team. In later years, he developed a great passion for fly fishing and spent many hours tying flies and fishing in his beloved Colorado mountain streams where he taught  his grandchildren to fly fish.

He was married to Helen E. Wanklyn on October 6, 1945 in Frankfort, Kansas.  She survives of Winfield, Kansas.  Other survivors include two daughters, Jeannie R. Heck of Lawrence, Ks., Patsy White and her husband, Steve of Arkansas city, Ks.; one son, Philip F. Padden and his wife, Gail of Lawrence, Ks. ; seven grandchildren, Brian and Brandon Heck, Kim Penny, Jeff White, Jennifer Grace, Tyler and Kyle Padden; nine great grandchildren, Raeleigh and Vaughn Heck, Kate, Andrew and Mackenzie White, Hunter and Morgan Grace, Lauren and Gabe Heck.

The family suggests memorial contributions to the First United Methodist Church in Winfield, Kansas and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence.  The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m., Friday until service time at the mortuary.