The Osage County Fair is underway this week at Osage City, with exhibit entries coming in today and three more days of competition of the county’s best, fun activities for all, a Friday evening parade, and a fireworks finale Saturday night.
The parade begins at 6:30 p.m., Friday, July 10, in downtown Osage City. Hosted by the Osage City Chamber of Commerce, the parade’s theme this year is “All American Country Livin”.
At the annual fair parade, the Chamber honors some local citizens as parade marshal and Mr. and Mrs. Osage City. This year’s parade marshal is Gary Lowman, and Joe and Thelma Humerickhouse have been named as the 2020 Mr. and Mrs. Osage City.
Mr. and Mrs. Osage City
Joe and Thelma Humerickhouse moved to Osage City in 1962 when Joe leased the then Quality Oil Service Station at Seventh and Market. They were both born and raised in Topeka and after getting used to small town life, they knew this was their forever home, the place where they wanted to raise their family.
Joe and Thelma Humerickhouse
After three years in the service station, Joe joined Thelma at Osage Products (Hallmark Cards). After 28 years, Joe retired from Hallmark Cards and started H&H Appraisal Service, which he continues to operate.
In 1994, Joe was elected to the Kansas Legislature and served in that office for 14 years. Joe was a volunteer fireman with the Osage City Rural Fire Department and he also served 10 years as city councilman for the Third Ward.
Joe was elected and served as President of the Kansas Jaycees 1973-74. He is a longtime member of the Lions Club.
Both he and Thelma are active members of the Osage City Chamber of Commerce. Thelma served as Chamber president in the 1990s. After leaving Hallmark Cards, Thelma worked for many years at Wick’s Flower Shop. She is a long time member of the Sorosis Club, volunteers with meals on wheels, and is active in her church, Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church.
They have four children, DeeAnna Simmonds, Topeka, Joe L., Denver, Colo., Christy, Overland Park, and Jerrad, McLouth. They enjoy spending time with their 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, with another coming in August.
“Joe and Thelma would like to take this opportunity to thank the Chamber for honoring them with the title of Mr. & Mrs. Osage City for 2020.”
Osage County Fair Parade Marshal
The Chamber announced Gary Lowman, of Osage City, was chosen as the 2020 Osage County Fair Parade marshal.
Gary Lowman
Gary was born in Emporia. He and his parents, Howard and Ruth, and older brother Monte lived on a farm in the Arvonia community. In 1960, the family moved to Osage City, where he attended middle and high schools, graduating from Osage City High School in 1968. He then attended Kansas State Teachers College for a couple years.
In 1971, he joined the United States Navy and served tours on board the U.S.S. Enterprise CVN-65, U.S.S. Halsey CG-23, and U.S.S. Truxtun CGN-35, and numerous shore duty tours, mostly in San Diego, Calif.
Gary married his wife Linda in 1990 in San Diego. He earned an MBA from National University, in San Diego, in 1991. He retired from the United States Navy in 1993. In 2003, both Gary and Linda retired and chose to make their home base back in Osage City.
Gary is a member of the Osage City First United Methodist Church and has led the adult Sunday school class for the past 10 years. He is a lifetime member of the American Legion Robert Heizer Post 198, where he served as adjutant for several years.
Gary’s hobbies include collecting local memorabilia and walking. He is also a very familiar face at almost all of the sporting events in Osage City, entertaining another one of his hobbies of sports photography, capturing many action photos of the youth in the community.
Here is the schedule for the Osage County Fair that runs July 8-11, at Osage City, Kan.:
Summer’s here along with Osage County’s first fair of the season
Information thanks to Osage City Chamber of Commerce.
