Floyd Garrett

F loyd Gene Garrett, 85, of Sabetha, Kansas died on Friday, February 12, 2021.  Gene was born on May 29, 1935 to Floyd and Lulu (Gastl) Garrett in Shawnee, Kansas.  After graduating from Shawnee High School with the class of 1953, Gene joined the family grocery store in Shawnee with his father and brothers, Howard and Roland.  Gene was active in the Shawnee community.  He served on the City Council and was one of the founding members of the Shawnee Ambulance Service.

Gene married Margaret Huning on June 10, 1956 in Shawnee.  They had three children, Lorinda, Dennis, and Doug.  In 1972, Gene and his family moved to Sabetha, Kansas to open a new grocery store.  Gene was active in the Sabetha community as well, serving on numerous boards including The Sabetha Health Foundation, Sabetha Chamber of Commerce, Sabetha Country Club, and the Sabetha City Commission.

In 1976, Gene and his business partner, Jerry Giesy, started Garrett and Giesy Enterprises, Inc. based in Sabetha.  They owned and operated several grocery stores in Kansas and Missouri until their retirement in 2013.  Gene was elected to the board of directors of Associated Wholesale Grocers in Kansas City in 1991.  He served on the board until 2001 and the Advisory board until 2013.

Gene leaves a legacy of love of family, love of food, love of friends, generosity to others and community service.  He loved spending time with his grandchildren.  He had a way of making each one feel special.  In fact, every one of his grandchildren thinks they were his favorite.  Gene also loved working in his wood shop and keeping his yard looking like the cover of a magazine.  He always had a quick wit and found a way to make everyone laugh up until the very end of his rich, full life.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents; his three brothers, Howard, William, and Roland; his son, Dennis, on May 17, 2020; and his son in-law, Don Strahm, on May 27, 2019.

Gene is survived by his wife, Margaret of the home; his daughter, Lorinda Strahm; his son, Doug (Shannon), and his daughter in law, Cheryl Garrett all of Sabetha, Kansas; his ten grandchildren, Nikki (Kent) Heiman, Tara (Jesse) Ploeger, Natalie (Dennis) Deters, Savannah (Erik) Heironimus, Jill (Jake) Doeden, Rachel (Adam) Smith, Olivia Garrett, Brendon (Sara) Garrett, Meagan (Treavor) Schmelzle, and Reggie Garrett; his eleven great grandchildren; and his beloved foreign exchange student (son), Tom Nakayama.

Gene will lie in state on Wednesday, February 17, 2021 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Popkess Mortuary in Sabetha, Kansas.  Funeral services will be held on Thursday, February 18, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at the Sabetha United Methodist Church.  The service will be streamed on the Sabetha United Methodist Church Facebook page.  Interment will be made at the Sabetha Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Sabetha United Methodist Church or to Nemaha County Home Health and Hospice sent in care of Popkess Mortuary, 823 Virginia Street, Sabetha, Kansas  66534.