Glenna L. Fogo

Glenna Louise (Topliff) Fogo was born February 1, 1923, in Howard, Kansas. She was the oldest child born to Harriet (Marrs) and Glenn Topliff. Glenna departed this life in Manhattan, Kansas on July 2, 2026. She was 103-years old.

Glenna attended grade school in Howard, Kansas and Mankato, Kansas through the seventh grade. In 1935, the family moved to a farm two miles south of Esbon. Glenna attended grades 8 through high school at Esbon. She was an excellent student. In those days all eighth-grade students had to pass a competency test before they could move on to high school. Glenna not only passed the test, but made the highest grade in the county, thus, was named “County Valedictorian.” Four years later, she graduated as valedictorian of 1940 graduating class of Esbon High School.

On April 9, 1941, Glenna eloped with Charles Lyle (Chuck) Fogo. On the day of their wedding, they slipped out of town and drove to Lincoln, Kansas where they were married by the Justice of the Peace. For whatever reason, they kept their marriage a secret for nine months! Chuck and Glenna eventually had one son, Glenn (Chug) Fogo, born on June 15, 1944. Chuck passed away in 1999 after 58 years of marriage.

With World War II going on, Chuck enlisted in the Army Air Corps and volunteered for pilot’s training. His training to fly the B-24 Liberator took him for short stays at several training bases around Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. Almost always, Glenna accompanied him, resulting in her working at several different jobs during that time. Chuck came home from the Pacific Theater in 1945. From that time on they made their home on the farm northeast of Esbon.

Over the years, Glenna worked at various jobs. Her last job, and one that was very special to her, was 22 years at the State Exchange Bank in Mankato. She loved that job and her fellow employees. She referred to the bank as “my bank.” Following her retirement in 1986, she was invited annually to return to the bank to conduct a partial audit. She did that audit annually until she was in her early nineties. She also wrote the weekly “Esbon News’ for the Jewell County Record for many years. She loved the Esbon community. After moving to Meadowlark Hills Retirement Community in Manhattan, she was once asked how she liked living there. Her answer: “It’s okay, but it’s not Esbon!”

Glenna was an avid Kansas City Royals and Kansas State Wildcat fan. Often, she and Chuck spent their vacation in Kansas City attending Royals games.

Glenna was a member of the Esbon United Methodist Church where she actively attended for 82 years. She was president of the Esbon American Legion Auxiliary for a few years. For a year, she proudly served as president of the Auxiliary’s 6th District, an area that included approximately 25 counties in North Central and Northwest Kansas.

We who will miss her most are her son, Chug, and his wife Carol of Manhattan, KS; her grandchildren, Angie Fogo Moulton (Sean) of Wamego, Kansas, Dr. Shane Fogo (Sharise) of Goodfield, Illinois, and Bill Fogo (Mandy) of Ft. Collins, Colorado; her great-grandchildren: Brianna Guingrich (Richie) of Morton, Illinois; Alexi Fogo of Spokane, Washington; Aspen Fogo of Ft. Collins, Colorado; Cayden Fogo of Goodfield, Illinois; Grace Moulton of Wamego, Kansas; Paige Fogo of Ft. Collins, Colorado; Regan Fogo of Ft. Collins, Colorado; and one great-great-grandson, Liam Guingrich of Morton, Illinois.

Glenna was preceded in death by her husband, Chuck, her parents and one sister, Beth Hardy.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 am, Thursday, July 9, 2026 at the Esbon Community Church with Brad Fogo officiating. Burial will follow at the Esbon Cemetery, Esbon, KS. Visitation will be from 4-8 pm with the family greeting friends from 7-8 pm, Wednesday, July 8, 2026 at Melby Mortuary, Mankato, KS. The family suggests memorials to the Jewell County Hospital, Esbon Community Center or the Meadowlark Hills Good Samaritan Fund all in care of Melby Mortuary, PO Box 384, Mankato, KS 66956. For online condolences, please visit www.melbymotuary.com. 

Meadowlark Hills Good Samaritan Fund