Geary Wayne Mosburg, age 84, of Manhattan, died February 6, 2024, at his residence. He was born October 24, 1939, in Clay Center, KS, the son of Harold and Violet (Knitter) Mosburg. Geary graduated from Clay Center High School with the class of 1958. Geary was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Manhattan, a lifetime member of the Elks Lodge, a 32nd degree Mason and was a member of the ISIS Shrine.
Even though he began his work career at the age of 8 shining shoes at the National Guard Armory on Saturdays and Sundays for $2 a day plus tips, his passion was the grocery business. His other job at age 10 was mowing lawns and he said, “you pushed the mower wherever you wanted to go, no pickup or trailer.” His passion for the food industry began at age 11 at the corner grocery store, Lincoln Heights Market, working “voluntarily” while waiting for brother Bill to get off work there. At age 12 he was hired by Art Cowell and Bill Simpson at Lincoln Heights for 15cents an hour. At 14 he was taught to cut meat with a cleaver – no power saws! At age 15 Geary went to work in the meat department of Boogaarts Supermarket for 35 cents an hour saving for his first car, a 42 Chevy 2-door coup, then later traded up for a 1950 Ford – “what a beauty.”
In August of 1959 Geary married Ann Wieters. They were blessed with daughters Julie Ann and Susan Jean, and son Jeffry Darin. From 1959 through 1967 Geary continued his work for Boogaarts as market manager in several different locations in Kansas – Washington, Goodland, and Hays. 1968 he joined Dutchmaid Supermarkets in Manhattan, KS as a co-manager. In fall of 1968 he received the opportunity to purchase his first supermarket in Colby, KS which he made very successful. The family returned to Manhattan in 1972 as Geary returned to Dutch Maid until 1976.
Geary married Donna Weckerly on December 6, 1975, in Syracuse, Kansas. They purchased the Clay Center IGA in 1976 beginning a very successful journey also owning supermarkets in Manhattan, Great Bend and Goodland. In 1979 they were blessed with daughter Angela Dawn Eloise. After 12 years in Goodland growing Mosburg IGA and daughter, Angie, they returned home to Manhattan in 1998. Geary accepted a position with Capstone Properties as a three State Regional Property Manager. Ever the retailer and people person, after semi-retiring in 2002 he worked part-time at Menard’s 5 years. Only officially retiring when Donna did in 2021. And since they have enjoying traveling and, especially, their children and grandchildren, their biggest blessings!
Survivors include his wife Donna of Manhattan; four children: Julie Mosburg-Lolley and her husband Dan of Manhattan, Susan Mosburg-Hoss and her husband Brent of McLouth, KS, Jeff Mosburg and his wife Becky of Manhattan, and Angie Mosburg-Felzien and her husband Trent of Manhattan; one brother Bill Mosburg and wife Nancy of Bonner Springs, KS; sister-in-law Donis Mosburg of Greenwood, MO; nine grandchildren: Kendell Lolley, Shelby Kraybill (Joe), Jeremy Foy (Sabrina), Morgan Bridges (Brynn), Kelsey Foy, Jake and Nick Mosburg, and Ellie and Seth Felzien; eight great-grandchildren, Austin Jones (Ashley), Victoria Foy, Jaxon Foy, John Foy, Vayda Bridges, Ellis Bridges, Sylvia Kraybill and Sophia Caves; one great-great grandson Truett Jones, and many nieces and nephews.
Geary was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Calvin, Bruce and Richard Mosburg, one grandson Johnathan Geary Lolley; one great granddaughter Bexley Bridges.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 7:30 P.M. Monday, February 12th, at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, February 13th, at the First Lutheran Church, 930 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, with Reverend Stephen Haverlah officiating. Graveside services will be held at 12:30 P.M. Tuesday at the Greenwood Cemetery in Clay Center, KS.
Memorial contributions may be made to either Shriners Hospital or Children’s Mercy Hospital. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502.