Varena L. Mechsner, 83, formerly of Meadowlark Continuing Care Retirement Community of Manhattan, died Jan. 18, 2021, at The Good Shepherd Homecare and Hospice in Manhattan. She was born Feb. 1, 1937, in Jewell County to Ernest and Pearl (Gibbs) Blattner.

Varena was a 1955 graduate of Esbon High School. She furthered her education at Kansas State University in Manhattan graduating in 1959 with a bachelor’s degree in secondary education.

On June 28, 1964, Varena was united in marriage with Max Mechsner at the United Brethren Church in Esbon.

Varena was a high school home economics teacher for m...