Lawrence F. “Doc” Tanking, 85, of Wetmore, KS, died on Tuesday, July 29, 1997 at the Sabetha Hospital in Sabetha surrounded by his family.

He was born March 31, 1912 on a farm northeast of Seneca, the son of William and Agnes Klunenberg Tanking. He grew up there and attended Sts. Peter & Paul School in Seneca.

On January 9, 1940 he married Cecilia Mary Peppersack at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church north of Axtell. They lived and farmed southeast of Oneida until 1953, when they moved to a farm north of Seneca. In 1956, they moved to a farm southeast of Wetmore. Lawrence was a farmer, dairyman and raised livestock. The couple retired in 1977 and moved to Wetmore. The couple enjoyed 57 years of marriage before his death.

He was a member of St. James Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus Council #10301 in Wetmore. Lawrence took special pride in his grandchildren and enjoyed visiting with everyone.

He is survived by his wife Cecilia; six sons, Donald (Barbara) Tanking of Topeka, Larry (Alberta) Tanking of Holton, Gerald (Denise) Tanking of St. Marys, Kenneth (Louise) Tanking of Netawaka, Randall (Alice) Tanking of Wetmore and Richard Tanking of Sabetha; two daughters, Mary Lou (John) Cheray of Topeka and Berneta (Dean) Shults of Topeka; a brother Carl Tanking of Seneca; 27 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a son James on February 5, 1988; four brothers, Albert, Paul, Edward and infant Raymond; and three sisters, Laurentia “Mickey” Peppersack, and infants Bernardine and Rosalia.

Rosaries were prayed on Wednesday evening at Lauer Funeral Home and on Thursday morning by the Knights of Columbus at St. James Church preceding Mass of Christian Burial. Mass was offered by Fr. Alfred Koestner O.S.B. Servers were Mike Tanking, Jason Tanking, Jenny Tanking and Leah Tanking. The lector was David Cheray; the Eucharistic ministers were Don Henry and Eldon Mulroy. Gift bearers were Audra Steiner, Dawn Rottinghaus, Macy Tanking and Shelly Tanking.

Carrying Lawrence to his resting place in the Wetmore Cemetery were honorary pallbearers Faron Shults, Tony Tanking, Andy Tanking, Jeff Tanking. Active pallbearers were Steve Cheray, Luke Tanking, Darren Shults, Greg Tanking, Marc Tanking and Josh Tanking.

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