Donald L. Cordes

Donald L. Cordes, 86, of Wichita, Kansas peacefully died Saturday, May 29, 2021. He was born in Manhattan, Kansas on July 12, 1934, to Helene and Dietrich Cordes who immigrated to the United States from Germany in the late 1920’s. Like his older brother Harry, a successful and accomplished engineer, Don had a natural curiosity about how the world worked and a desire to make life better for others. As a young teenager helping his parents, who struggled with the English language and were of modest means, he discovered he was a gifted problem solver with a talent for accounting, legal concepts and negotiation. After earning various scholarships, and with the help of his future wife Ann, who together sold watermelons by the side of the road, he received a degree in accounting from Kansas State University. They married in 1954 before taking advantage of a Rotary Scholarship for his first year of law school In Edinburgh, Scotland. They returned to Kansas where he graduated top of his class from the University of Kansas School of Law and recruited by the Foulston Siefkin Law Firm in Wichita. After a successful tenure as a corporate lawyer at the firm, he was tapped by Charles Koch to become Senior Vice President of Legal and Corporate affairs for Koch Industries. Throughout his life, Don had an unbridled love for family, friends, and community. Regardless of the high demands of his career, he was always available and greatly participated in the lives of his wife and children. For the five years after his wife Ann was diagnosed with terminal cancer, he was constantly by her side and ensured they experienced all of their lifelong dreams together, including world travels. He was also highly involved with, contributed to, and sat on the board of many charitable organizations as well as established and funded scholarships for future lawyers. In 1994, he married Bettie Stephen, who reinvigorated his love and zest for life. Beyond his keen sense and talent for legal matters and problem solving, he was also known for his witty and clever sense of humor, and passion for arts. He was often described as a “wonderful, fun and brilliant man”. He enjoyed playing a variety of sports, loved conquering very complex word, mathematical and jigsaw puzzles, played trumpet, piano and often seen dancing with Bettie about town. Don Cordes had a life well lived, full of family, friends, love, and passion. He was dearly loved and will be greatly missed. He is survived by his wife, Bettie Cordes; two children, Kathy Pelz and Ken Cordes; two stepchildren, Marty Shawver and Judy Tillemans; three grandchildren, Johnathan, Michael and Kristen Pelz; four step grandchildren, Grant and Sean Tillemans, Sally and Blaine Shawver; and one great grandchild, Lilly Brady-Pelz. Visitation will be from 3:00 - 5:00 pm, Thursday, June 3, 2021; Funeral Service will be at 2:00 pm, Friday, June 4, 2021, both at Downing & Lahey East Mortuary. The family requests memorial donations to: Heartspring, 8700 E. 29th St. N., Wichita, KS 67226.