John Thomas Tibbits, 76, died Monday, March 23, 2020 near Minneapolis. John was born June 10, 1943, in Blaine Township, Ottawa County, Kansas to Marjorie (Bell) and Riley D. Tibbits.
He graduated from Minneapolis High School and attended Hutchinson Junior College, where he met Rosalee Schultz. They were married August 18, 1963. Returning to Ottawa County, the young couple started farming with John’s dad and granddad; he soon learned farming was his passion , as anyone who has ever met him can attest.
John’s knowledge and keen mind for the details of agriculture led him to meet many interesting people and hold various positions within agricultural organizations and Boards.
Among his most fulfilling endeavors was serving as a member of Kansas Corn Growers Association, then becoming the organization’s President. This led to his nomination and election in 1998 to the National Corn Growers Association Board of Directors, filling that position until 2003. John was also a part of the initiative to bring about No-Till on the Plains conferences. His other affiliations include Ottawa County Extension Council, Ottawa County ASCS Committee, Kansas Sunflower Commission and Farmer Direct Foods.
His three grandchildren never ceased to fill his life with endless joy and fun.
John was a member of the Minneapolis First United Methodist Church, Minneapolis Masonic Lodge #143, Order of the Eastern Star, Isis Shrine, and Scottish Rite, Valley of Salina.
Those surviving are his mother, Marjorie Crist; wife, Rosalee; sons, Tom, Tim (Amanda); brother, George (Linda); sister, Darlene Timmerman; and grandchildren, Trevor, Kaylee, and Isaiah; nieces, nephews and many friends.
John was preceded in death by his father, Riley D., his stepmother, Ethel; an infant sister, Mary Katherine; and daughter-in-law, Sandy.
Visitation will be from 2:00 to 5:00 P.M., Sunday, March 29 at Wilson Family Funeral Home, Minneapolis – the family will not be present. Due to current health guidelines for public safety, there must be strict limitations in all public gatherings. The inurnment service for John at Highland Cemetery, Minneapolis, shall be attended by immediate family only, on Monday, March 30, 2020 at 2:00 P.M. The family invites all relatives and friends to join us in this service through live streaming on Wilson Family Funeral Home’s Facebook page on Monday. It will continue to be available by going to their Facebook page at any later time. Memorials may be made to the Minneapolis First United Methodist Church or Ottawa County Shrine Club to assist the Shriners Children’s Hospitals and may be mailed to Wilson Family Funeral Home, 405 Argyle Ave., Minneapolis, KS 67467.