Francis "Toad" Harland

Francis “Toad” Harland, 91, of Marysville, KS, and formerly of Frankfort, KS, died Wednesday, December 11, 2013 at Cambridge Place in Marysville. Visitation was Thursday, December 12, from 1 to 8 p.m., at Padden Funeral Chapel in Frankfort. The family received friends from 5 to 7 p.m. A funeral service was held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, December 13, at the First Presbyterian Church in Frankfort. Rev. Marilyn Sweet and Gary Phillips officiated. Skip McMillen played the organ while Sally McMillen sang “How Great Thou Art”, “Gift of Finest Wheat” and “On Eagles Wings”. The pallbearers were Scott Studer, Lance Studer, Tim Gunn, Jed Gunn, Mike Haskin and Dave Mayer. The honorary pallbearers were Linda Highland, Mark Studer, Steve Morton, Lynn Mayer, Don Mayer and Kent Mayer. Burial was in the Frankfort City Cemetery. Toad was born on June 12, 1922, at Frankfort, KS, to Earl Francis and Sara Fern (Rice) Harland, Sr. After high school he entered the U.S. Navy and was a fighter pilot during WWII. After his honorable discharge he returned to Frankfort and became a respected farmer and stockman. On February 28, 1945, he married Rosemary Ryan at Los Angeles, CA. They celebrated over 50 years of marriage before she preceded him in death on February 26, 2000. On April 28, 2001, he married Marjorie Mayer at the United Methodist Church in Marysville. She survives. Toad was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Frankfort where he served as an elder. He was also a member of Lion’s Club, Rotary Club, Masonic Lodge #67, NEMAR Shrine Club, and a sixty plus year member of the American Legion. He was active in the community serving on the Farm Bureau Board, Frankfort School Board and Beattie Farmers Union Coop Board. Toad enjoyed gardening, traveling, K State Football and spending time with his family, children and grandchildren. He was also preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Suzanne Harland in 1964; granddaughter, Kristy Gunn; and sisters, Virginia Rickson and Mary Kems. Survivors include his wife, Marjorie; daughters, Christine (Mark) Studer, Seneca, and Deborah Gunn, Blue Rapids; five stepchildren, Linda (Ron) Highland, Wamego, KS, Donald Mayer, Wichita, KS, David (Susi) Mayer and Lynn (Jerri) Mayer, all of Marysville, and Kent (Becky) Mayer, Des Moines, IA; sister, Dorothy Watkins, Wichita; six grandchildren; twelve step grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and five step great-grandchildren. A memorial fund has been established to the First Presbyterian Church. Contributions may be sent in care of Padden Funeral Chapel, Frankfort. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Francis "Toad" Harland, please visit our flower store.