James Frederick Menold

James Frederick Menold, 78, has begun his eternal life in the presence of Jesus, having passed from this life on Monday, August 24, 2020 due to a number of health ailments following hip replacement surgery. 

James was born at home in rural Sabetha, Kansas on September 16, 1941, the fourth of John & Dorothy (Kaeb) Menold’s ten children.  He married Louise Steidinger on February 22, 1964.  Committing their lives to Jesus Christ, they were baptized together in 1973.  James loved his wife and cherished having her by his side, especially in his final days.   

James graduated 8th grade from Albany School and loved to tell how he would have been valedictorian if not for his one other classmate.  At 14, he started grading roads for Berwick Township, and following many years of farming, seven years at Wenger Manufacturing, assisting in his sons’ farming operations, and countless hours cutting hay in an old windrower, he spent his last working days again grading roads for Berwick Township. 

James was passionately interested in planes, trains, and automobiles.  He could spend hours talking horsepower, tinkering with old machinery, or reading about World War II history. Yet, he was just as moved by the finer things.  He loved birds, trees, the Colorado mountains, and gospel music as long as it didn’t have any of what he called “that boomety boom.” 

James loved people and cared passionately for the state of their souls.  He wanted to make sure his friends knew about salvation through Christ.  His vulnerability in talking about his own faith struggles brought others to faith, beginning with his nine children – all of whom are walking with the Lord. 

Proverbs 17:6 says “Children’s children are the crown of old men, and the glory of children is their fathers.”  James loved his family, and his family loved him.  Nowhere was this more evident than on his deathbed, where he was literally surrounded by family singing him home as he took his final breath. 

James is survived by his wife, Louise; his children, Dean Menold (Sheri), Victor Menold (Jananne), Dayton Menold (Wanda), Terry Menold (Dayra), Diane Strahm (Michael), Christopher Menold (Amy), Myreon Menold (Lori), Rodney Menold, and Jamie Bahr (Scott); 35 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.  He also survived by siblings Miriam Strahm (Clayton), Alice Steidinger, Judy Edelman (Eugene), Marge Edelman (Morris), Helen Meyer (Leroy), Joann Edelman, Don Menold (Pat), and Wilma Kauffman.

He is preceded in death by his parents, John and Dorothy Menold; stepmother, Loree Menold; his brother, Leroy Menold, brothers-in-law, Donald Steidinger, Fred Edelman, and Steve Kauffman; and his grandson, Andy Jon Strahm. 

Family and friends are welcome to attend a visitation at the Apostolic Christian Fellowship Center (1441 Virginia St., Sabetha) on Friday, August 28, 2020 from 6:00-8:30 pm.  The funeral service will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, August 29, 2020 at the Bern Apostolic Christian Church.  Burial will be at Albany Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Apostolic Christian Home or Gideons International sent in care of Popkess Mortuary 823 Virginia Sabetha, Kansas 66534.