Long time resident, Maurice K. Atland passed away Sunday, March 3rd, 2024 in his home.
Maurice was born, March 8, 1939 in Horton, Kansas and was looking forward to celebrating his approaching 85th birthday.
He was a lifetime member of the Missouri Lutheran Church. Maurice graduated from Horton High School in 1957 and joined the National Guard before marrying his High School Sweetheart Darlene Walker on February 16, 1958. Maurice worked for several area business contractors doing remodeling jobs before starting his own general construction company, building many homes in the area. He was later introduced by a friend to the manufactured homes industry. Maurice soon discovered that he had an act of salesmanship and became very successful selling homes, winning many awards for sales before deciding to open his own company north of Topeka in a huge warehouse. It was there he started his own trademark in manufactured homes that was turning over large sells until the bottom dropped out of the housing market and interest rates hit in all time high of over 18% in the early 1980’s. He ended up closing the warehouse.
He had taken interest in raising livestock on his farm as a hobby that led him to his new career path. He then had the opportunity to sell feed for Moorman Feeds locally, he soon took a promotion in Iola, Kansas and later to Louisiana as State Sales Manager for nearly 10 years. Maurice and Darlene returned to Hiawatha after early retirement to be around their family. Maurice’s passion for construction led them to buying properties in Hiawatha and remodeling them for rental property. Maurice and Darlene enjoyed working on the houses together until Maurice’s health no longer allowed him to do the physical work.
Maurice was an active pilot in the Horton Flying Club, he enjoyed water skiing, boating, fishing, hunting and camping with family and friends. He loved playing cards, family game night was his favorite, He also got a kick out of showing new card tricks he had learned. If something was broken, he was your guy! He could fix anything. Maurice enjoyed making wooden toys in his spare time for his grandkids and was even a vendor at craft shows. Antique shopping was a passion that Maurice and Darlene shared. He loved researching items of any nature on his computer and would spend hours every day on it.
Maurice and Darlene had four children, Laurice Nigus and fiancé Steve Burkhart, Gene Atland and wife Debbie, Connie Williams and husband Tom, Jody Morey and husband Guy. The couple shared 15 Grandchildren, 21 Great Grandchildren, and 10 great-great grandchildren along with nieces and a nephew.
Maurice is preceded in death by his parents Arents and Irene Burns Atland, his sister Norma and brother-in-law Jerry Schuetz and son in law, Rick Nigus.
The family will meet with friends one hour prior to services at Church. A celebration of Maurice’s eternal life is planned for 11 a.m. Thursday, March 7, 2024, at Zion Lutheran Church with Rev. Brian Holle officiating. Interment will follow at Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Everest, KS with military honors a courtesy of the Brown County Veterans Honor Guard.
Friends may call at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, Hiawatha after 10 a.m. Wednesday.
Memorial contributions are suggested to Zion Lutheran Church left in care of the funeral home, 124 S 7th St., Hiawatha 66434.
A message from Maurice…..I know that I was not a person that hugged people, but I wanted to in my heart! I love my family more than I can say. I pray all my family will enjoy their life.
And don’t forget. JOHN 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son into the World that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
