The Osage City Chamber of Commerce has announced that Bob and Ronda Harmon will be representing Osage City as Mr. and Mrs. Osage City for 2021. The two will be honored in the Osage County Fair Parade, hosted by the Chamber, which begins at 6:30 p.m. Friday, July 9, on Market Street in Osage City.

Bob and Ronda met 23 years ago through their love for music and dancing. Bob has been in Osage City for 44 years having opened his dental practice in the spring of 1977 after graduating from UMKC with his DDS degree. Having both grown up in small towns, Bob and Ronda love the small town life, and have volunteered for many things to better the community. They were instrumental in getting the fireworks that the community enjoys each year. Bob has been a member of the Osage City Lions Club for more than 50 years. He was also a member of the Salt Creek Bluegrass band for years. He loves fishing and raising beagles. Bob ran for state representative for the 76th district in 2020.

Ronda has been on the Superior Township Board for more than 12 years and has served on the committee for Chamber of Commerce Christmas on Market for several years. Ronda has a deep love for music, performing in many different venues and has been singing with her five sisters since age three. Bob and Ronda have put on the talent show at the fair for many years, donating their time and equipment each year.

Bob has two children, Jill and Matt, who both graduated from Osage City High School. Matt chose to stay in Osage City and raise his family, and now owns and operates Harmon Dental, following in his Dad’s footsteps. They have five grandchildren Ethan, Brynlee, Rylan, Sadie and Devan.

“Osage City has been a blessing for both of us as it is a small town with a lot of character,” the Harmons said. They have traveled to many places and say “it is always nice to come home to our small rural town that we love.”

Schroeder to serve as 2021 parade marshal

The Chamber of Commerce has announced that recently retired pharmacist Mike Schroeder will head the Osage County Fair Parade as this year’s parade marshal.

Mike’s family moved to Osage City when his dad, Chuck Schroeder, purchased the corner drug store from John Kerr in 1963. Mike graduated from Osage City High School in 1975 and Emporia State University with a bachelor’s degree in business in 1979. While at Emporia he met Nancy Herron, and they were married in 1981. After graduation he lived in Dodge City and later moved to Topeka, working as a certified public accountant. Nancy taught elementary school before becoming a stay-at-home mother in 1986. Together they had three children, Adam Schroeder, Jonathan Schroeder, and Ethan and Katie (Schroeder) Schillig.

Mike purchased the drug store from his father and moved back to Osage City in 1996. The business was growing and Karen Schwieger, RPh., joined Schroeder Drugs in August 2000.

“As Dad’s retirement was approaching, the drug store was going to need another pharmacist,” Mike said. Mike went back to school, receiving a Doctor of Pharmacy
degree from the University of Kansas in 2005 in order to fill that role.

“By working together on the schedule, Karen and I were able find a good balance between taking care of our customers in a small town setting and still be able to attend important family events,” Mike said. Getting time off from work can be difficult for many owners of independent pharmacies.

“Dad helped out by keeping his pharmacy license active until Katie finished playing college softball,” he said. “This was especially important to me after Nancy died in August 2007. It allowed me to be at almost all of her ball games.”

“We used a simple approach to running the business,” Mike said. “It was to do our best to take care of each customer’s needs. We were fortunate to have terrific employees to work with and many loyal customers over the combined 58 years of operation.”

Mike’s retirement came a little sooner than he expected.

“It had been discussed once in a while,” he said, “but retiring always seemed to be off in the distance. This spring, an opportunity to sell the drug store presented itself and things seemed to fall into place. It wasn’t an easy decision to make but Karen and I agreed that it was the right time to sell.”

Mike’s retirement plans include traveling, visiting his kids, and going fishing.

The Parade Marshal Schroeder and Mr. and Mrs. Osage City will be honored during the Osage County Fair Parade, set for 6:30 p.m. Friday, July 9, 2021, in downtown Osage City, Kan.

Information thanks to the Osage City Chamber of Commerce.