Sumner Vibert Schlenk

Sumner Vibert Schlenk, 77, passed away on February 22, 2024, at his home in Atlanta, GA. He was born on July 20, 1946, in Iowa City, IA to William and Virginia Schlenk. Sumner served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War from 1966 to 1968, earning the rank of First Lieutenant. During this time while stationed in Fort Riley, KS, Sumner met his future wife, Cheryl Gfeller. While on leave, he married Cheryl in Hawaii on December 30, 1967. Sumner graduated from California State University, Fullerton and moved back to Kansas in 1972, where he and Cheryl raised their two children, Travis Sumner and Maryse Danielle.

Sumner spent over three decades working in the financial and insurance industry, with his longest tenure as President of The Bank in Northwest Kansas. Sumner had a big heart and was known for giving people opportunities to better themselves and their families. Sumner loved to spend time reading books, working in the yard, and instructing his children and their friends on “how” to play any type of sporting activity. Later in life, Sumner enjoyed golfing and spending time with friends, his wife, his children, and grandchildren.

Sumner was recently diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer that eventually took his life. Sumner was preceded in death by his wife of nearly 55 years, Cheryl Schlenk; his parents William and Virginia Schlenk; and brothers William Jr. (Billy) and Nathan (Nate) Schlenk. Sumner’s surviving relatives include his sister, Susan Bateman and her husband, Larry, Mechanicsville, VA.; son, Travis Schlenk, and his wife, Sarah, and their children Morgan, Charlotte and Will, Atlanta, GA; and daughter, Maryse Schlenk and her partner, Steve Sellmeyer, Lawrence, KS. Sumner would also want to mention his nephews and nieces as surviving relatives, Alison Bateman-House of New York, NY; Matthew Starkey, Overland Park, KS; Alysia Starkey, Salina, KS; and Jeff Starkey, Lucas, KS.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, March 29, 2024, at 11:00am at the Kansas Veteran's Cemetery: 5181 Wildcat Creek Road, Manhattan, KS 66503. Memorials may be made to the Veterans Medical Care and Specialty Health Services. Mail donations to the Dwight D Eisenhower Department of Veterans Affairs Medical: 4101 4th Street Trafficway, Leavenworth, KS 66048-5014.