Alton H. Hanrath
Westboro, Missouri
1916 – 2011

Alton H. Hanrath, son of William Henry and Louise Kathrina (Klute) Hanrath was born on November 20, 1916, in Westboro, Missouri. He began his education at Walden Grove Country School in a building that would be moved and become part of a hay shed on the home place. He was a proud member of the Westboro High School Class of 1934. In 1938, he completed a degree in Economics from Tarkio College and graduated Magna Cum Laude.

Following college, Alton worked for Dr. Schmille, a local veterinarian, and assisted with caring for livestock on farms in the local community. He also earned his pilot’s license on February 10, 1941. In March 1941, Alton enlisted in the U.S. Army and was assigned to the 2nd Cavalry, 2nd Regiment, 2nd Division. His horse was Irish Indian. Years later, he attended the funeral for the last living cavalry horse in Fort Riley, Kansas. He spent many nights under the stars in and around Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, and Arizona. In 2008, he retraced his time in Yuma, Arizona, with his children.

During World War II, he was assigned to the 9th Armored Division as a Tank Mechanic for the amphibious forces. He served in that capacity in Okinawa and other areas in the South Pacific. He was discharged in November 1945.

During military leave, he was united in marriage to Velva Hope Norris on April 15, 1944, in Hiawatha, Kansas. To this union were born three children, Bob, Ina Kay, and Donna. Alton and Velva made their home in rural Westboro their entire married life, where he farmed until his retirement in 1984.

Alton was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Westboro, where he was baptized and confirmed. He served in many volunteer capacities at St. John’s, including Church Council, Church Treasurer, Sunday School Teacher, PA person, and as a member of the St. John’s Cemetery Association. He was a past President of the Atchison County Farm Bureau, and a former member of the Westboro School Board.

Besides his parents and wife, Velva, Alton was preceded in death by his brother, Edwin Hanrath; sister, Esther Malmberg; and son-in-law, Galen Payne. His survivors include son, Bob Hanrath and his wife, Kathy, Lincoln, Nebraska; daughters, Ina Kay Payne, Stilwell, Kansas, and Donna Hart and her husband, Chuck, Ft. Collins, Colorado; grandchildren, Scott Hanrath and his wife, Laura, Lawrence, Kansas, and Andrew Hanrath, Omaha, Nebraska; great-grandchildren, Henry Hanrath and Ellen Hanrath, Lawrence, Kansas; sister, Fern Berry, Kansas City, Missouri; and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.

Services: 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, June 8, 2011, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Westboro, Missouri.
Interment: St. John’s Cemetery.
The family will receive friends following the service in the Church basement.
Memorials: St. John’s Cemetery Association.
Services: Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio, Missouri.
Online obituaries and condolences at www.minterfuneralchapels.com.