Kermit Gene Wedel, M.D., a family physician and community leader in Minneapolis, Kan., for six decades, died peacefully on July 27 at the age of 90. He is survived by four children and his wife of 69 years, Kathleen.
Kerm, the son of Arthur A. and Elizabeth K. Wedel, was born at the family farmhouse in McPherson County on July 28, 1932, shortly after his identical twin brother, Ken. He told of his life growing up on the farm. He attended a one-room schoolhouse in McPherson County and Moundridge High School. He then attended Bethel College in North Newton, Kan. On Oct. 16, 1953, he married Kathleen Zerger at Eden Mennonite Church in rural Moundridge. He earned his medical degree from the University of Kansas School of Medicine where his studies earned him selection into Alpha Omega Alpha, the national medical honor society.
Kerm spent an extra year as a surgical resident in Wichita after medical school and then joined Ken in practice in Minneapolis in 1962. Ken and Kerm worked mostly at the Minneapolis Clinic (Wedel, Wedel and Barker), two blocks from Kerm’s home on Fifth Street, where he and Kathleen would raise their growing family. Besides raising their children, the two opened their home to medical school preceptors, foreign exchange students and friends and neighbors for numerous themed events.
In addition to being a skilled physician, Dr. Wedel was a recognized leader in the medical profession. He served his profession in many capacities, including serving as President of the Kansas Medical Society in 1982-83. He also served as KMS’ principal delegate to the American Medical Association for two decades. Dr. Wedel served as an associate professor in family medicine for the University of Kansas School of Medicine. Other roles included Governor’s Commission on Healthcare and the Board of Blue Shield of Kansas. He served as Vice President for Medical Affairs at Asbury/ Salina Regional Health Center and on their Boards for many years. In his 18 years as a board member at the Kansas Health Foundation they approved $336 million in grants improving healthcare and healthcare access.
Jerry Slaughter of the Kansas Medical Society recently wrote: “It’s hard to condense down into one paragraph the contributions he made over many years, but without question, he was one of the most impactful physician leaders we have had. He was generous of his time, humble, pragmatic, cheerful, always positive, and never sought attention or recognition for his efforts on behalf of the profession he so ably represented.”
The same sentiment can be said for his many roles in the local community and area. He was one of four community members to travel to Colorado to secure the purchase of the land that would become Rock City Park. He was a long-time member of the First United Methodist Church, held many leadership positions and was a charter trustee of the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund. He served as member and chair of the USD 239 Board of Education, a founder of the Ottawa County Community Foundation, president of the Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce as well as the city council, including as mayor from 2016 to 2021. Later he enjoyed serving on the Rolling Hills Refuge Board for his close friend and travel companion, Charlie Walker.
Most people simply knew him as Kerm or Dr. Kerm – someone who would offer medical advice, a quick hug, or a smile and handshake on the street, or as he was grilling outside the alley entrance of the Blue Moon, the local “speakeasy” restaurant that he and Kathleen opened for Friday night dinners in 1997 and operated for over 20 years.
Upon their retirement in 2005, The Ottawa County Hospital memorialized Kerm and Ken’s service to the community by naming sections of the hospital in their honor.
In his leisure time, Kerm and Kathleen enjoyed watching KU football and basketball games and games in which their grandchildren played. One of his childhood memories was capturing pigeons in the barn of KU basketball player and later Kentucky basketball coach Adolph Rupp near Halstead. He enjoyed all sports and occasionally said that if he hadn’t been a doctor he might have been a baseball umpire.
He loved spending time at the family’s cabin on Greers Ferry Lake in Arkansas. This provided years of enjoyment for friends and for annual gatherings of all children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren that was held each year and included teaching children, grandchildren and children of friends how to ski.
Kerm was preceded in death by his brother Delbert; his twin brother, Ken; and his sister, Leola. He is survived by his wife, Kathleen; four children, Alan (Sandy) Wedel of Salina, Russ (Deb) Wedel of Hutchinson, Sonya (Mark) Siebert of Des Moines, IA and Mary (Mike) Mraz of Southold, NY; 11 grandchildren, Rachel (Pete) Stroer, Luke Wedel, Sarah (Derrick) Rowan, Kristin (Brian) McGuirk, Brett (Katrina Horner) Wedel, Emily (Ryker) Williams, Ben (Nina Pressman) Siebert, Matthew Siebert, Simon Mraz, Isaiah Mraz and Naomi Mraz; and six great-grandchildren, Isaac and Ethan Stroer, Elliot Wedel, Rose McGuirk, Jack Rowan and Mara Gene Siebert.
He was surprised and his heart was touched when after his 18 years of service on the board of the Kansas Health Foundation, the foundation presented a check for $25,000 to benefit the Ottawa County Community Foundation in his honor. He asked the contribution be used as seed money for a Public Health Fund. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Kerm’s memory can be made to the Public Health Fund of the Ottawa County Foundation. Use the link below or send to Ottawa County Community Foundation c/o Public Health Fund, P.O. Box 203, Minneapolis, KS 67467
https://gscf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=1549&sorg_id=1035
Memorials can also be made to The Kenneth D & Dardanella Stucky Wedel and Kermit G & Kathleen Zerger Wedel Pre-Med Scholarship Endowment at Bethel College. Each year earnings from the fund are presented to a pre-med student in the form of a scholarship. Use the link below or send to Bethel College, c/o Advancement Office, 300 East 27th St., North Newton, KS 67117 and designate it as a Kermit Wedel memorial.
https://www.bethelks.edu/gift
Visitation will be from 3:00 to 7:00 Friday, August 11 at Wilson Family Funeral Home, 405 Argyle Ave., Minneapolis, KS 67467, where the family will receive friends beginning at 4:00.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, August 12, at the First United Methodist Church, Minneapolis. Private burial will be in Highland Cemetery, Minneapolis.
Following the services at the church, everyone is invited to join the Wedel family for a celebration of Kerm's life and a lunch. It will be held at the Blue Store in downtown Minneapolis from Noon to 3:00 P.M.
The services will be live streamed via the Wilson Family Funeral Home Facebook page.