Victor Gradert

Victor Carl Gradert was born on May 22nd, 1925, in Newton, KS to Carl and Henrietta  Gradert, and was their only child. He graduated from Newton High School and joined the Army Air Corps to serve our country in WWII. He flew 33 missions and returned home in November, 1945. He married his high school sweetheart, Ruth Mildred Wilms on May 28th, 1946 at Zion Lutheran Church, where her father, Rev. Elmer Wilms was pastor. Vic and Ruth began their married life at Kansas University in Lawrence, KS where he received his degree in Business in 1949.  In 1950 their first daughter, Donna Jean was born in Wichita, KS. In 1960 their second daughter, Karen Ruth was born, also in Wichita. He was an active member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church; Wichita Downtown Lions Club, Lutheran Braille Workers, and SCORE – Service Corps of Retired Executives. Vic retired from the Small Business Administration as Assistant District Director for Management Assistance, in 1986.  He and Ruth moved from their home in Wichita to live in Leawood, KS in 2006.

Vic was preceded in death by his parents, and his beloved wife, Ruth, of 68 years in 2014.

He is survived by his two daughters, Donna Gradert of Topeka, KS, and Karen Doel (Keith), Lenexa, KS, and his two grandchildren, Brian Doel (Seminary St. Louis, MO) and Katherine Peterson (Matthew) of Kansas City, MO. Vic went to be with his Lord on Monday, May 15th, 2017 at the age of 91. Vic’s funeral will be Tuesday, May 30th,  at Bethany Lutheran Church, 9101 Lamar Ave, Overland Park, KS.  Visitation is at 9:00 AM, Funeral at 10:00 AM, with interment at Johnson County's Mausoleum, 11200 Metcalf Ave, Overland Park, KS.

Memorials may be given to Bethany Lutheran Church, or Concordia Seminary 801 Seminary Place, St. Louis, MO 63105

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