Ivan Henry Pechanec

ivan pechanec

August 26, 1940 ~ May 12, 2024

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Ivan Henry Pechanec, 83, Wichita, Kansas, passed away Sunday, May 12, 2024. Rosary will held on Friday, May 17, 2024 at 10:30 am with the Funeral Mass following at 11:00 am at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 3642 N. Ridge Road, Wichita, Kansas. Graveside Service will be at 4:00 pm, Friday, May 17, 2024, at Holy Cross Cemetery, Timken, Kansas. Ivan is survived by his wife, Linda Pechanec; son, Jason Pechanec; daughter, Jami (Chris) Herzberg; grandchildren, Justin, Landon, Kason; brother, Stephen Pechanec; and sister-in-law, Annie Pechanec. He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Rose Pechanec; brother, Victor Pechanec, sister-in-law, Agnes Pechanec; sister-in-law, Margaret Pechanec; brother, Frankie Pechanec; and sister, Anita Pechanec. Ivan was born August 26, 1940, in Great Bend, Kansas, and raised on a farm near Timken, Kansas. One of his favorite memories was receiving his First Communion from Father Kapaun (candidate for sainthood) in May 1948. He graduated from Bison High School in 1959. In May of 1963, Ivan graduated from Fort Hays State University with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree and on June 8, 1963, Ivan and Linda were married. In July of 1963, Ivan entered the Air Force Officer Training School in San Antonio, Texas. His first military assignment was with the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) in Palo Alto, California as 2nd Lt. advancing to 1st Lt. In November of 1965, Ivan received his orders for a one year tour of duty in Vietnam, serving from January to December 1966, advancing to the rank of Captain. Upon his return, Ivan and Linda relocated to Denver to continue his work with DCAA, ultimately being honorably discharged from the military in December 1967. He completed over four years of active duty. Ivan and Linda relocated to Wichita in December 1967 and then he served his second tour of duty in Vietnam as a civilian in 1970 for four months. Ivan remained in the Air Force Reserves for an additional 20 years, advancing to the rank of Major and ultimately retiring as a Lt. Col. He worked as a government auditor for DCAA for over 37 years. Ivan was known for his many hobbies, including his love of BBQ and smoking meats, beekeeping and making honey, bread making, listening to the Blues, auto racing with SCCA, woodworking, and building model cars, ships and planes. For many years, Ivan assisted with the harvest of his farm land and was dedicated to growing walnut trees on his land, which he considers part of his legacy. He enjoyed attending WSU basketball games with Linda, racing radio controlled cars with his grandkids, playing cards with his extended family, watching Formula 1 races, and researching his genealogy. Ivan spent many years volunteering at the Lord’s Diner unloading food trucks and prepping for meals. He served as Parish Council President at St. Anne’s Catholic Church and he and Linda were founding members of St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Wichita in 2008. He was known to all as Papa, Dad and Uncle Ivan. He will be remembered for his trademark stubbornness and mostly for his deep love for his family. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established with: St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 3642 N. Ridge Road, Wichita, KS 67205 and Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 103 S. Main Street, Timken, KS 67575. Services in care of Downing & Lahey Mortuary - West Chapel.

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  1. So sorry for your loss. I thought this was fitting because of his walnut trees. Thinking of you all at this time.

  2. What a beautiful video tribute of a life well lived! Keeping you all in our prayers. Love, the Segarra Family

  3. Ivan served some of his Air Force Reservist duties at the McConnell AFB contracting office where I was Division Chief in the 1980’s. He was very competent and highly professional in his work. Ivan was a pleasure to be around. So sorry for your loss. Bob Christian.

  4. So sorry for your loss. Remember Ivan and how dad would enjoy their visits. He is with his loved ones.Love and prayers


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