Paul John Litke
Join us in celebrating Paul—please share your stories and photos, and help spread the word about this page!
Paul Litke, 76, of Flatonia, Texas passed away peacefully with his wife, her sister and his two sons by his side Sunday, January 30, 2022.
Paul was born in Wamego, Kansas to Elmer William Litke and Dorothy Geisler Litke. He grew up on his parents' ranch in Alma, Kansas and went to Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas. He worked at the Santa Fe Railroad in Topeka, Kansas while in college and was later transferred to Chicago, Illinois by the railroad. While in Chicago, he earned his degree in Finance at DePaul University. Paul was later transferred to Santa Fe Energy Company in Amarillo, Texas, an oil and gas subsidiary of the railroad. After a few years, he was then transferred to Houston, Texas where he met his wife, Dianne Litke. Paul was promoted to Tax Director and later retired after 30 years with the company.
After retirement, Paul & Dianne moved to Flatonia, Texas and turned some acreage right outside Flatonia into a working cattle ranch. Paul loved animals and one of his favorite things to do was drive around his ranch taking care of and talking about his cattle and his two dogs, Tilly and Cleo, whom he adored. Big PaPa greatly loved his grandsons Daven and Ashton, and he loved having them visit the ranch. Although he will not see the men they will become, Big PaPa was able to spend many happy years with them, and one of his last thoughts was traveling to Kansas to see them.
Paul is survived by his loving wife, Dianne Litke; two sons, Brian Litke and wife Jennifer of Austin, Texas; David Litke and his wife Lori of Topeka, Kansas; 3 grandchildren Daven Litke of Topeka, Kansas, Ashton Litke of Topeka, Kansas and Rose Jones-Goodrich of Austin, Texas; sister-in-law, Suzanne Sprayberry of Houston, Texas and his many other loving family members.
Paul was a loving husband, father and Big PaPa. He loved life and he absolutely loved being a Texan. Every day "the old cowboy" (as he would call himself) would drive around the ranch and thank the Maker for all his blessings. He would say that he didn't know if Heaven could be any better than his life on the ranch because he felt like he was already in Heaven. As he preferred that his life be celebrated and not be remembered with a funeral, there will be a private celebration with his many friends who will toast to his life well-lived.
Any donations may be made in his name to the Flatonia Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department, Flatonia Medic III EMS, Fayette County Sheriff's Office, Flatonia Police Department and the Air Evac Lifetime Team 27.