Arthur Matthew Lake

Arthur Matthew Lake was born September 15, 1936 to Matthew and Alice Lake in rural LeRoy, KS. He had a sister Ina May and brother, James Frederick Lake. He attended Sunnyside school and graduated from LeRoy High School in 1954. He served in the Kansas Army National Guard for nine years. He grew up farming with his parents. Family and farming were his passions. In 1958 he saw the love of his life, Barbara Houston in the backseat of her father’s car as they passed each other on the main street of LeRoy. He went home and looked up her photo in his yearbook. The next night he drove to her farm and asked her for a date. She accepted and after a year’s courtship, they were married on June 1, 1959 in her parent’s home in rural LeRoy by the Methodist minister. This began 65 years of love as they built their family and farm together.

Arthur was a talented carpenter and built many cabinets and projects for people in the community. He worked outside the home for neighbors, but also sold hay and cut wood and hedge posts to help support his family. He worked at Iola Boat Plant, Johnson Construction, Garnett Church Furnishings, Iola Brake Co, McDonalds, and retired from Caldwell Implement in 2004 where he delivered farm equipment to area farms. He continued farming in his retirement and spending time with his family.

He was a very hard worker and often farmed late into the early hours of the morning, only to take a few hours of sleep, then off to work for someone else. By example he taught his children the importance of working hard, resilience to never give up, and to always find a solution to the problem. He was known for his honesty, humor, and fair dealings with others. He loved his family, friends, and animals. He and Barbara made a lifetime of memories together and for their family. Every August they would load up the camper that he built and head to western states to enjoy the scenery. He and Barbara were a perfect match and weathered many storms together. They also enjoyed meeting new people and sharing common interests as members of the East Central Model T Club.

Arthur passed away on December 27, 2024 at 1:22 pm in Cottonwood Falls, KS with his family by his side. He was proceeded in death by his parents Matthew and Alice Lake, a brother James Lake, two infant sons Mark Matthew and Heath Alan Lake, and nephew David Tidd.

He leaves behind his loving wife Barbara, children Timothy (Pam) Lake of Stillman Valley, IL, Christopher (Melinda) Lake of Milton, KS, daughter Heather (Mack) Brown of Cottonwood Falls, KS, and son Jed Lake of Westphalia, KS, grandsons Christopher A. Lake Jr, Jacob Lake, and Joshua Lake, great-grandchildren Ariana and Bryan Lake, sister Ina Day, nieces Phyllis (Chad) DeVoe, Kelly (Brad) McPhail, and nephew Darin Tidd, and many other nieces and nephews. He was well loved by his family and will be missed.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Allen County Animal Rescue Facility in Iola of the LeRoy FFA Program.