Warren Marvin Cottrell

Warren Marvin Cottrell, age 70, of Onaga, passed away in his sleep on February 21, 2024, at his home. He was born on August 7, 1953, in Seneca, KS to Marvin and Mary (Harries) Cottrell. He graduated from Onaga High School in 1972 and then went on to Beloit Vo-Tech to study electrical technology. He worked for 36 years at Jeffery Energy Center and retired in 2014.

He was a proud member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local Union 304.  He was a long-time member of the Kansas Mini-Pullers Association and the Nebraska Outlaw Mini Rod Pulling Association.  He and his dad built their own mini rod pulling tractors and competed from 1978-1998 across Kansas and Nebraska. Even after that, he continued to stoke his passion for tractor pulling and shared his love with his great-nephews, and helped with their garden tractor pulling. He loved fast cars as he had a need for speed. He enjoyed helping family, neighbors, and friends and was always ready to lend a hand. Warren was the family historian and loved to share stories about his younger days.

Warren was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Helen Paxson, brother-in-law Phil Paxson, and an infant brother Howard and a niece,  Debra Diane King.

He is survived by his brother, Charles Cottrell and wife Janie, Centralia; nephews Scott Cottrell and wife Sandi of Topeka; Chance Cottrell and wife Ashley of Wamego; Tom Sauvage and wife Amy of Pacific, Missouri; Tim Sauvage and wife Kat of Salt Lake City, Utah; and niece Nikki Gausman and husband Scott of Kearney, Nebraska, along with 8 great nephews and nieces and a great-great niece.  He loved his nephews and niece as if they were his own children and his great nephews and nieces as grandchildren. He is also survived by caring friends, neighbors, cousins, and other family members.

A celebration of life will be held at the Onaga Community Center on Sunday, March 24 from 1:00-4:00 with a service at 1:00 and visitation with the family to follow.

Warren chose cremation with private family inurnment at the Corning Cemetery.  Memorials can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or to Onaga High School FFA Alumni and can be left in care of Campanella & Stewart Funeral Home PO Box 48, Wamego, KS 66547.