Allan Thaemert Obituary

Allan Lee Thaemert, 87 of Manhattan, Kansas, died on Monday, January 26, 2026, at the Via Christi Village in Manhattan.

Allan was born on April 09, 1938, in Sylvan Grove, KS, the son of Erwin and Viola (Thaete) Thaemert. He grew up on the family farm in rural Sylvan Grove, KS where he spent many years helping with the farming and ranching. He graduated from Sylvan Grove High School in the class of 1956. Allan was an outstanding athlete at Sylvan Grove where he excelled in 4 sports including baseball, basketball, football, and track. After high school he graduated from Kansas State University achieving his bachelor’s degree in education and eventually worked to achieve his master’s degree from Southwestern State Teacher’s College in Weatherford, Oklahoma. While attending Kansas State, he was a letterman on the baseball team where he started at shortstop for the Wildcats. He was united in marriage to Mary Ann Reese on May 31, 1959, at the rural Immanuel Lutheran Church near Laton, KS. Allan and Mary Ann first met through their local Lutheran Church’s high school youth group functions (“Walther League”). From this union Allan and Mary Ann were blessed with five children: Troy, Todd, Becky, Tom and James. They raised their children in the Lutheran faith and provided them with a firm foundation of God’s grace through Christ. They settled in Manhattan, KS where Allan taught math and drivers education at Manhattan High School for over 30 years. During this time Allan enjoyed his children’s activities and coached several of the children’s little league teams. Upon his retirement in 1994 Allan and Mary Ann moved back to the Reese family farm located north of Natoma. He enjoyed the rural setting as well as actively maintaining the homestead. Many enjoyable years were spent hosting his children and grandchildren for frequent family gatherings at “The Farm”. Allan was a member of Lutherans for Life and proud Kansas State University Alumni. He was able to follow K-state football quite closely as he worked on the football chain gang for 33 years. He loved gardening, the county fair, the circus, antiques, auctions, arrowhead hunting, war history, watching westerns.

Surviving family include his son Todd Thaemert of Manhattan, KS, daughter Becky Pancost (Jon) of Lucas, KS, son Tom Thaemert (Krista) of Manhattan, KS, son James Thaemert of Manhattan, KS; brothers Ravon Thaemert (Shirley) of Denver, CO and Leon Thaemert (Donna) of Colorado Springs, CO and 5 grandchildren: Savannah Awbrey (Nate), Reese Thaemert (Marissa), Sophie, Harlan, and Lily Pancost.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Mary Ann, and son Troy Thaemert.

A celebration of Allan’s life will be held at 11 A.M. on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at the Peace Lutheran Church in Natoma, Kansas. Viewing will begin at 10 A.M. on Saturday at the church with family greeting guests from 10 A.M. to service time. Burial will follow at the North Lutheran Cemetery in rural north Natoma. The family invites family and friends to join them at the church for lunch immediately following the graveside service. Memorials can be made to the Peace Lutheran Church and sent in care of the mortuary. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.