Wayne Ryherd

Wayne Ryherd, age 88, of Iola,  Kan., passed away Thursday, May 7, 2026, at Heartland Meadows in Iola.

Marion Wayne Ryherd was born Jan. 25, 1938, in Iola, the son of Earl “Bubby T.” Ryherd and Halcie Belle (Johnson) Ryherd. Wayne was the first of seven children.

He grew up in Iola and graduated from Iola High School with the class of 1956. Following high school, Wayne attended Fort Scott Junior College, where he participated in football, basketball and track. Other than one year spent in Las Vegas after college, and his time in the military, Wayne was a lifelong resident of Iola. Wayne was drafted into the United States Army in 1961. After being honorably discharged in 1963, he returned to Iola to begin his long career with the city.

Wayne’s life was forever changed by a fateful trip to the Iola Sonic, where he met Natalie Ware. Natalie was new to Iola for her job at HL Miller & Son. They were married July 2, 1967, in New London, N.H.

On June 10, 1964, Wayne began a 34-year career with the City of Iola. He spent his first nine years working at the power plant before moving to the electric department. He served as the Superintendent for the last 10 years of his tenure, retiring in 1998.

In retirement, he enjoyed fishing, hunting, playing softball, and hanging out at Denny’s Sports Center. Though he preferred the outdoors close to home, Wayne was occasionally persuaded by Natalie to travel to destinations like Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon and Washington state.

From his youth, Wayne was deeply connected to the outdoors and sports. As a boy, he caught nightcrawlers and seined minnows for the family bait shop. For a few winters, he and his siblings hunted rabbits, traveling to New York City to sell the furs.

These early experiences fueled a lifelong passion for hunting and fishing. Whether traveling to pheasant hunt in western Kansas with the guys, walking the creek banks at night for frogs, or sitting in a tree stand at Owl Creek, Wayne could often be found outdoors. Along the banks of the Neosho River, wading at Fall River or Toronto, or in a boat at Melvern or John Redman is where you’d find him with a pole in his hand. There always had to be enough fish for the annual fish fry at Yokum’s Farm!

Wayne was also a legendary figure in local sports, playing slow-pitch softball until the age of (almost) 80. His earlier years were spent playing with 7-11 and Western Auto.

After retirement, he traveled to tournaments across the country and played in a Senior League in Kansas City two nights a week. He was known as a consistent pitcher and hitter who could easily place the ball anywhere on the field. Sunday nights were always exciting watching Western Auto and Yocham’s battle it out!

Wayne was also one of the organizers of men’s pick-up basketball on Mondays and Wednesdays at the Junior High.

Beyond his own athletic pursuits, Wayne was a dedicated fan of college basketball, especially the KU Jayhawks. When home, his TV would always be on a sporting event, including the Chiefs, Royals, women’s college softball, the Olympics or any track meet. His favorite games, however, were those that involved his grandchildren.

He was a man of quiet strength and a competitive spirit. Wayne also took great pride in his community service, donating over 21 gallons of Type O negative blood to the community blood center throughout his life.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Natalie Ryherd, on Aug. 13, 2007; and one brother, Larry Ryherd.

He is survived by his son, Taylor Ryherd; his daughter, Tiffany Riley and husband Johnnie; five grandchildren, Dalton Ryherd, Mason Ryherd, Colbi Riley, Cooper Riley and Cali Riley; four brothers, Gary Ryherd, Dennis Ryherd, Doug Ryherd and wife Susan, Rick Ryherd, and one sister, Donna Newby and husband, Ken; sisters-in-law, Dottie Ryherd and Pat Schumacher, and many nieces and nephews. Wayne is undoubtedly in the stands of a basketball game somewhere today, “encouraging” someone to drive to the basket.

Wayne’s family will greet friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 14, in The Venue at Feuerborn Family Funeral Service, Iola.

Memorial contributions may be made to Heartland Meadows and left in care of the funeral home.