MINNEOLA - Long-time rancher and farmer, Terry (also known as "LT") Weddle was born in rural Ford county August 9, 1938, to Leonard and Waneta Weddle. He grew up on the family farm near Bloom, Kansas, along with his younger sister, Jeanette Weddle Besthorn.
Terry's spunky spirit and perhaps his penchant for speed was fed, no doubt, by the time he spent with his cousins, LeRoy, Marvin, and Lela who lived nearby. The extended Weddle families of Walter and Merle and of Herman and Wilma provided Terry with the experience of family connectedness.

Following his graduation from Bloom High School, Terry received his bachelor's degree from McPherson College in McPherson, Kansas, where he met Sharon Schrock. They married August 4th, 1962 in Dumont, Iowa, and after their honeymoon, they returned to the farm in Western Kansas. Terry is survived by his wife, Sharon Weddle; daughter Kerri and her spouse, Bill Baker and their son, Kendrick; daughter Kendra and her spouse, Bryan Irons; daughter Kelli and her spouse, Carl Huslig and their children Teri, Tori, and Trey; and daughter Krys and her child Macy.

No doubt some might find it ironic that Terry and Sharon had four daughters and a farm to operate. But Terry didn't let that deter him. Instead he involved them in all aspects allowing each of them to find their own niche. Too, he was blessed to have Alan Hornback work with him for many years until Kerri returned to the farm with her husband, Bill, who partnered with Terry. Several other farm workers were also invaluable including Justin Clowdis and now Todd Wakeman.

While Terry spent his life as a farmer, it was the ranching aspects that gave him great joy. He loved rounding up a herd of cattle on his favorite horse, Blaze. Despite meeting many cattle trucks either early in the morning or in the middle of the night—times when many would think only of the inconvenience—he eagerly went with expectations of what each held. Too, there were many hours spent nudging cattle into the pens for a round of shots. In his younger years he relished working the chute and inspecting each calf. Of course there were the unsavory aspects of castrating but it provided his favorite surprise treat for unsuspecting visitors and friends. Because, of course, who wouldn't mind thinking they were eating popcorn shrimp only to find out after taking several bites that instead they were consuming mountain oysters?

Much like his father, Terry made a life out of raising wheat. Drilling season in the fall and harvest in the summer punctuated each year with a natural rhythm. He enjoyed days spent on the tractor or combine with the CB radio in hand providing him access to keep everyone else on task while he drove. He believed all should embrace his diligent work ethic and he passed it on not only to his daughters by waking them every Saturday morning at sunrise, but also to nephews who chose to spend time on the farm from Mark Besthorn who worked several summers to Eric and Andy Schrock and Ryan Schlehuber who each invested a few months.

While farming and ranching was his way of life, Terry relished the times when all of the family returned home to celebrate holidays and other occasions. He was quick to welcome his daughters home carrying luggage from their cars, eager to learn about what was going on in their lives. Always the early riser, he enjoyed early morning conversations in the family room almost as much as he liked grilling steaks for the family. When the family gathered card games were never far behind. Terry was a natural; a sought-after partner in Pitch or Sequence. He loved to win, but even more than that was his love for his grandchildren. He traveled far and wide to support them in their many activities and he was quick to let anyone know just how much he thought of them.

Terry contributed to the Minneola community by serving many years on the Co-op and School Boards as well as attending sporting and other school-related events well after his daughters graduated. He also was a long-time member of the Minneola United Methodist Church.
Terry died September 28, 2016, at the Wesley Medical Intensive Care Unit in Wichita, Kansas, following a brief illness. He was 78.

A family burial service will be held at the Minneola Cemetery Friday, October 7, 2016, followed by a public Celebration of Life service to be held at the Minneola United Methodist Church at 2:30 pm. Visitation with the family present will be Thursday from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Minnis Mortuary, Minneola. The family suggests memorials may be given to the Minneola United Methodist Church or the Minneola Health Care Fund in care of Minnis Mortuary, P.O. Box 459, Minneola, Kansas 67865.