Gary Dean Anderson
August 25, 1959 – January 19, 2025
Gary Dean Anderson, 65 of Meriden, KS., passed away peacefully in the early morning of January 19, 2025, at home. Born August 25, 1959, the son of Jack and Charlene Pappan Anderson in Topeka, KS.
As a child, his family moved around the country living in and around small towns in Northeast Kansas, as well as, Gower Missouri and Falls City Nebraska before settling down in the summer of 1973 on the Prairie Band Potawatomi Reservation in Hoyt, KS, where he was a 1978 graduate of Royal Valley High School. While in high school he was very active in FFA winning several awards for his judging, working Holton Cemetery and Suttons Grocery Store. By first semester of his Senior year, he had enough credits to graduate early and began his career at Hallmark Cards on January 23, 1978. He worked in Stationary, Packaging, Large Die Cut, and when low on work, he helped in the Warehouse and ended in Foil Stamp as a Triple Thompson Operator, retiring August 31, 2015.
Hallmark is where he met a young lady who would eventually become his wife. Gary married Leslie Hinchsliff on September 12, 1981. She survives of the home. They had two sons, Blake & Brock.
He was a devoted husband, supportive father and Papa Bear/Papa Gary to his four grandchildren. A role he didn’t get to really fulfill the way he had hoped due to his IBM (Inclusive Body Myositis).
Gary enjoyed hunting, fishing, golf, racing, watching both college and professional sports, and especially coaching his sons in baseball.
Gary, “Lump” to his friends, never knew a stranger, liked a good conversation, joking around and telling stories.
Gary is survived by his wife, Leslie, his sons Blake (Samantha) of Lawrence, Brock (Taylor) of Topeka and his grandchildren, Camden, Hoyt, Sage and Hayden. His mother, Charlene Anderson of Hoyt, brother, Doug (Brandy) of Netawaka, Sisters and brothers-in-law, JoAnn (Terry) Mrstik, Karen Kiefat, Ray (Therese) Hinchsliff and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his father, Jack Anderson, brother-in-law, Scott Kiefat and his mother-in-law, Mary Hinchsliff.
Funeral Service will be 2:00 PM, Monday, January 27, 2025 at Barnett Family Funeral Home, Oskaloosa. Burial will be at Prairie Home Cemetery, Topeka. Visitation will be one hour before the service, 1:00 to 2:00 PM, Monday at the Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials suggested to the Prairie Band Boys and Girls Club.
- Courtesy of Barnett Family Funeral Home