Earle Renny Stoddard passed away at Midland Care Hospice House in Topeka, KS on April 9, 2022. At the young age of 81, Earle often enjoyed an ornery and loving lifestyle that always allowed him to make connections wherever he would be. Earle encountered many accomplishments through his life and tried his hardest to live life on his own terms as much as possible. A trait his family loved dearly about him.

Born January 18th, 1941, in Lena, Nebraska to Earl and Margaret (Waits) Stoddard, Earle attended school in a one room schoolhouse in Western Nebraska at a young age and which two of his teachers eventually became his sisters-in-law. Earle always joked that his brothers were stealing his teachers from the start. At the age of 4, Earle lost his father at a young age. When he was 9, his mother Margaret married Floyd Kiester, who took him and his other siblings into his family with open arms and a loving heart and Earle was proud to refer to him as his “Pa”. In his junior high years, the family made the move from western Nebraska to Albion, Nebraska where Earle graduated high school and was introduced to the love of his life Karyn. He soon after joined the army in November of 1959 and was proud to serve for the Nation he loved. During part of this time, Earle served in Korea and was honorably discharged in November of 1962.

After his discharge, Earle married the love of his life Karyn Lynn Harbottle on April 7th, 1963, in Loretta, Nebraska. They were blessed with two children, Sheryl and Chad, whom he had much pride in. Earle graduated from the University of Nebraska with an Ag Business degree and served as an FHA loan officer in both David City and Clay Center, Nebraska before moving to Seneca, KS to be an Ag Loan officer at Citizens State Bank. Earle later left that position and became one of the original partners who started Community National Bank in Seneca.

Earle enjoyed playing horseshoes, woodworking, and enjoyed dancing with his wife especially the waltz, polka, and square dancing. The couple were charter members of the Seneca Squares, a square-dancing club in Seneca. Earle also enjoyed the challenge many of his nephews issued to see who could pin down Uncle Earle. That, however, was ended by Karyn when it one ended with broken ribs and a slowed down Earle. Earle loved his motorcycles and the freedom he received with them. Bringing home his first bike in 1987, his wife’s hesitations were quickly ended when she was given the ultimatum of hopping on or staying home. Karyn ended up hopping on behind Earle and the two rode over 150,000 miles together before her death in 1997. The two enjoyed 34 years together with Earle “patiently” waiting the day they would be reunited again.

Earle never stopped serving his country and found ways to still engage with members of the communities in which he lived by participating on various organizations. Earle felt strongly about honoring those who served this country and participated in many segments of the American Legion organization. He was a member of Post 25 during his time in North Dakota and served as the Commander. In his later years, Earle enjoyed being active in the American Legion Riders with the nickname “Gunrunner” and helped organize a group in Beatrice, Nebraska and served as the groups Chaplain. Earle also a participating member of Post 21 in Seneca, KS. Unfortunately, due to a stroke several years prior to his death, Earle had to hang up his helmet for the last time due to health concerns. He missed riding and serving in the flag lines and honor escorts greatly and often reflected to those times with a beaming smile.

Earle was preceded in death by his wife Karyn on April 26, 1997. In addition to his loving wife, Earle was also preceded in death by his parents Earl, Margaret and Floyd and his siblings Lavelle (Fay) Stoddard, Laverne Stoddard, Ethel (Ralph) Reichenberg, Gerald Kiester, and Jack Kiester. He was also preceded in death by his sister-in-law Wanda Harbottle and brothers-in-law Darwin Hartman, Bud Tucker and Harold Hough.

Earle is survived by his children Sheryl (Randy) Heinen and Chad Stoddard. His grandchildren Krysten (Kevin) Weeldreyer, Kyla (Mitch) McPherson, Michele (Michael) Alvarez, Matthew Stoddard, and Tyler Heinen. His great grandchildren Emma, Cally, Kevin Jr., Sophia, Shane, Luis, and Colt. He is also survived by his niece Chana (Lowell) Kubie of Blaire Nebraska and his great niece and nephews Austin and Kare. He is also survived by his sisters Emily Tucker and Shirley Hartman and sisters-in-law Lila Stoddard, Shirley Kiester and Bonnie Kiester, and many nieces and nephews.

The visitation will be on Friday, April 15, 2022 from 6 to 8 P.M., at the Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. The Funeral Service will be on Saturday, April 16, 2022 at 11:00A.M. at the Lauer Funeral Home, Seneca, Kansas. Burial will be at a later date.