Donald Hrabik

Donald Lee Hrabik was born June 29th, 1932 in Wilson, KS where they lived on a small family farm. In high school, his family moved to another farm in Dorrance, KS. In 1950, following high school, Don enjoyed working for the Russell Highway Department driving heavy machinery to build roads that connected smaller towns in the area. During that time, Don met Janice (Lundgrin) and they began a courtship that lasted several years which included writing letters while he was away at war.

During the Korean War, Don was #2 on the draft list and chose to enlist in the U.S. Army. Since growing up on the farm and learning to drive tractors and other heavy machines from a young age, it seemed natural for Don to continue his education after basic training by completing 16 weeks of engineering school that qualified him to work on any piece of heavy equipment in the army. In 1952, Don was assigned to the K-13 airbase in Suwon, Korea as a member of the 802nd Engineering Aviation Battalion, a SCARWAF (Special Category Army with Air Force) unit keeping heavy equipment operational to maintain the air strip used by F-86 Sabres. Don’s service in the U.S. Army concluded in 1955, two years after the war ended. One of Don’s greatest memories was participating in an honor flight to Washington D.C. in 2019.

Following the war, Don and Janice continued their courtship and worked in Russell, KS while attending Fort Hays State University where he played football and earned a degree in teaching. In 1958, a few years prior to graduation, he married Janice. Upon graduation, Don began teaching industrial arts in Burlington, KS. Later, Don was hired to teach Metals at the Old Mission Jr. High School in the Shawnee Mission school district, and Don and Janice settled down in Merriam, KS where they raised their two sons, Brent and Brad. In 1974, Don was awarded Teacher of the Year and went on to be named the director of the Broadmoor Vo-Tech School. In 1993, he retired from teaching and stayed busy with the Agricultural Hall of Fame for over 15 years. Don spent much of his time restoring pedal tractors, fixing any lawn mower that got dropped off in his garage, and participating in tractor events throughout the city.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Viola (Cook) Hrabik, brother Larry Hrabik, and sister Pat Inbody. Don is survived by his wife Janice Hrabik of Prairie Village; brother Henry Hrabik, Jr. of Colorado Springs, CO; sons Brent (Rebecca) Hrabik of Olathe and Brad (Leslie) Hrabik of Highland Village, TX; grandchildren Jonathan, Holly, David (Sarah), Nicholas (Elise), Makenzie, and Grant Hrabik; and great-grandchildren Lindsey, Luke and Levi Hrabik.

Visitation with Family will be held at Amos funeral home (10901 Johnson Dr, Shawnee, KS) on June 24th, 2023 from 10:00-10:30am. A casual Memorial Service will start at 10:30am to 11:15am where guests can share stories and memories of Don. It will conclude with military honors.

A Celebration of Life Hrabik Picnic will follow his service from 11:30 am - 1:30 pm CT at Shawnee Mission United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, 10700 Johnson Drive, Shawnee Mission, Kansas 66203.

The family requests you bring a memory or story to share.