Thelbert M. Trimmell, 88, passed away peacefully at home with family on Sunday, November 5, 2023. Bert, as he was known by many, was born in rural Greenwood County on February 8, 1935, to Luther “Big Boy” and Thelma (Ware) Trimmell. Bert often jokingly claimed he was born on a snowplow enroute to the hospital. He was raised on a farm/ranch near Coyville, and graduated from Coyville High School in 1952. He and his three brothers often rode horses to school and were known for having some of the finest horseflesh in the area. In high school he played on the basketball team, which led to a lifelong love of basketball, baseball, football, and other sports, both as a participant and fan. Coyville High is also where he met his future wife, Marilyn Haun. They were married on October 1, 1955, and started a family soon after with daughters Janice, Brenda, and son Ron.
After their wedding, the couple moved to Wichita, where Bert soon began working at Boeing for its commercial and military aircraft companies. He rose through the ranks into management, overseeing many projects for the military that required top secret clearance. While his family was young, he introduced them to the Wichita Track Club, which he eventually led as the club’s president. Summer evenings were filled with track practice, and most weekends included track meets. But ranching was in Bert’s blood, and he began leasing pasture around Wichita to raise cattle. On Saturday’s he also helped operate the El Dorado Livestock Auction as a yard manager. After many years of caring for cattle during the day and on weekends, and then working second shift at Boeing, he decided to take early retirement, and go into ranching “fulltime.” He and Marilyn had purchased their first 1,000 acres of Bluestem in 1979 and continued to add to the ranch for the rest of his life. His cattle were his pride and joy, and today, Trimmell Beef, LLC is known for raising some of the finest Angus and Charolais/Angus cross cattle in the Flint Hills.
When he wasn’t taking care of his cattle, Bert dove deeply into politics, keeping up with most national and local issues. He was an avid follower of the cattle and grain markets, and could predict trends as well as the best market analysts. He and Marilyn greatly enjoyed making annual trips to Branson to see country music performances and comedy shows. His love of sports led to him becoming a huge KC Royals, KC Chiefs, and Wichita State Shocker basketball fan. Many family trips were taken to Kansas City for games, and he and Marilyn had WSU season tickets for many years. He was a work-a-holic, but when he wasn’t working, he knew how to have a good time with family and friends.
Thelbert M. Trimmell is survived by his wife Marilyn, daughters Janice Trimmell of Overland Park; Brenda Huelsman and husband Keith, of Andover; son Ron Trimmell and wife Robin of Greenwood County; six grandchildren Clay Trimmell, Caycee Russell and husband Nick, Sara Oliver and husband Thor, Ryan Rohrdanz and wife Stephenie, Brice Huelsman and wife Callan, Bridget Pullos and husband Seth; eight great grandchildren, and brother Norman and his wife June Trimmell. He was proceeded in death by his parents Luther and Thelma Trimmell, and siblings Hyla Bacon, LeRoy Trimmell and Robert Trimmell.
Funeral services were held at 1:30 pm, Saturday, November 11, 2023, at Wickham Family Funeral Home, 510 North 7th, Fredonia. A graveside service was held at Caley Cemetery, a half-mile north of Bert and Marilyn’s home on HH Road. A dinner followed at the Coyville Community Center.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Coyville Community Center.
