Funeral services for Joe Warren Bahnmaier, 99, Lawrence, will be 2 pm, Monday, February 6, 2023, at Lecompton United Methodist Church. A visitation will be from 4-5 pm on Sunday, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.
Joe W. Bahnmaier, 99 of Lawrence, KS, passed away Wednesday, February 1, 2023 at Stormont-Vail Hospital in Topeka, KS.
Joe was born July 21, 1923 in the rural Lecompton area to Elmer G. and Margaret (Gibbens) Bahnmaier. He attended Jones District 73 Elementary School, Oread High School and attended the University of Kansas. Joe also played fast pitch softball on a Big Springs team.
Joe married Neita M. Atchison on March 22, 1952 in Bentonville, AR. In his early years Joe farmed the family farm and later went to work for Dupont at the Tecumseh plant as a maintenance engineer where he retired in 1985. He enjoyed hunting in his younger days and collecting antique radios and every spring he planted a large garden from which he made his famous stew and special pickles. He loved watching all sports especially KU football and basketball games. Joe and Neita were a big part of son Mike’s Top Fuel Harley racing team, driving a truck and trailer from coast to coast and crewing for him, helping him win his first National Championship in 1999.
Joe is survived by his wife Neita of the home, sons Mike of Wichita, KS and Don of Glenpool, OK; 9 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, 1 great-great grandchild, numerous cousins and many friends. Joe will be laid to rest at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Lecompton, KS, beside son Richard W. Wright, who preceded him in death.
The family suggests memorial donations to Lecompton Historical Society, P.O. Box 68, Lecompton, KS 66050.
