22 Jul KGFA Mourns the Passing of Former Board Member Bill Emch
William Dean Emch, 81, a lifelong resident of Madison, Kansas, passed away on July 18, 2026, at Aberdeen Village in Olathe, Kansas. Emch served two stints on the Kansas Grain and Feed Association Board of Directors from 1988-95 and from 2000-09.
Bill was born on October 18, 1944, in Emporia, Kansas, the only child of Bernie and Dena (Wernli) Emch. He graduated from Madison High School in 1962 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Feed Technology from Kansas State University. Following graduation, he worked for Quaker Oats in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for seven months before being drafted into the U.S. Army. Bill was trained as a combat medic and served in Germany from July 1967 until his honorable discharge in January 1969. While stationed abroad, he was fortunate to connect with and get to know his grandpa Wernli’s relatives in Switzerland.
Upon returning home, Bill joined his father as a partner in S & E Feed, which later became Emch Feed & Elevator. In 1980, Tim Zimmerman became a partner. Throughout his career as owner and operator, he took great pleasure in serving customers and building relationships. He was deeply invested in his industry and community, serving on the Board of Directors for local organizations as well as the Kansas Grain & Feed Association.
In 1967, Bill surrendered his life to the Lord and was baptized. He was a member of the Apostolic Christian Faith and deeply enjoyed and appreciated the fellowship.
On November 8, 1970, Bill was united in marriage to Susan Elaine Kraft in Gridley, Kansas. Together, they shared 55 years of marriage marked by faith, love, and devotion. Above all, Bill cherished his family and was extremely fond of his ten grandchildren. Though a stroke in 2016 limited him physically, he maintained a spirit of quiet gratitude for everything he was still able to do. Following a second stroke in June 2024, he moved to Aberdeen Village in Olathe to receive additional care.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Bernie and Dena Emch, as well as his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Lloyd and Nadine Kraft, and brother-in-law Brian Kraft.
He is survived by his loving wife, Susan, of the home; his two sons and their wives, Brent and Lise of Olathe, Kansas, and Brandon and Maria of Bucyrus, Kansas; and his beloved grandchildren: Bryse and wife Audrey, Dillan and fiancée Tegan Stratton, Anna, Timon, Jesse, Alice, Milan, Jonas, Lydia, and Zoe.
Bill will be remembered for his steadfast faith, dedication to his family, and love for others.
A visitation for family and friends will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at Jones Funeral Home in Burlington, Kansas. Funeral services will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, also at Jones Funeral Home, with burial following at the Lamont Apostolic Christian Cemetery in Lamont, Kansas. In lieu of flowers, the family ask that memorial donations may be made to Madison Fire Department or Aberdeen Village Employee Scholarship Olathe, KS in care of Jones Funeral Home, P.O. Box 277, Burlington, KS 66845.