Harvey Lee Korbelik

Harvey Lee Korbelik, 87, passed away at home on September 21, 2024, after a courageous battle with leukemia for the third time.

He was born on February 17, 1937, to Adolph and Rose (Kucera) Korbelik at home in rural Burlington, Colorado. Harvey attended grades K-8 at Green Valley country school and graduated from Burlington High School in 1954.

Harvey attended Colorado School of Mines in the fall of 1954, but times were extremely difficult, so he enlisted in the United States Air Force in February 1955. Harvey was proud of his service although he was very humble about his achievements. He received the Medal of Good Conduct and was honorably discharged in 1958.

In 1960, Harvey met and married the love of his life, Connie Still. They were married on October 29, 1960. They were blessed with the birth of Susan Marie in October 1961, William (Bill) Lee in April 1965, Sharon Laree in March 1967, Baby Boy in March 1970 and David Dean in November 1972.

After the service, Harvey worked construction jobs, managed a 12-lane bowling alley, managed a lumber yard, worked for Kanorado Co-Op and fattened pigs for market. In 1969, he leased farm ground from a neighbor and so began his love for farming. Harvey and his dad entered into a partnership called Korbelik & Korbelik Farming and Cattle Partnership and grew their operation to 5,000 acres. When his dad decided to retire, they dissolved the partnership. Harvey and Connie took over and continued to grow the farm and cow-calf operation. Harvey farmed until around 2007.

After he retired from farming, he couldn’t stay idle, he sold aerial photos of area farms and began flipping houses. Harvey had a real gift for helping those in need. Many of the homes he flipped, he financed the buyer so they could own their first home.

Harvey served as 4-H leader for over 20 years, was on the Kanorado Co-Op Board of Directors for 30 years, and on St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church Council. His favorite hobby was bowling. He could have gone pro at one time but was happy to win cash pots.

Harvey is survived by Connie his wife of 63 years, his children Susan (Russell) Corliss, Bill (Theresa) Korbelik all of Burlington, Colorado and David (Yvette) Korbelik of Atchison, Kansas. His grandchildren, Sandra (John) Gustafson, Dustin Corliss, Clayton Corliss, Flint (Shannah) Corliss, Brooke (Brice) Miller, Justin (Shannon) Korbelik, Rochelle (Carson) Konrade, Kaylee (Damien) Pottinger, Mikayla Boyce, Steven Korbelik, Whitney (Ethan) Smith, Sarenna (Mathew) Burton, Kolbran Korbelik, Bohdan Korbelik, Aidrek Korbelik, Creed Korbelik, 12 great-grandchildren and one due in October, his sister Patricia Allaman of Goodland, Kansas and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his children Sharon and Baby Boy, his parents Adolph and Rose Korbelik, one sister Vernetta Ann Mallet, brothers-in-law James Allaman, Jerry Still, James Still and sister-in law Janis Still.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church and may be left at the services or mailed to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N Main Ave, Goodland, KS 67735.