Kansas Forest Service News
Retired State Forester Larry Biles and "Miss Sarah" Biles Memorial Trees
On a beautiful Saturday, Oct. 3rd, two Matador maple trees, provided by Grimm’s Gardens, were planted at the Noble Ballpark Complex in Hiawatha, KS, as memorials for Larry and “Miss Sarah” Biles. Larry, had a long and distinguished forestry career, retiring from the Kansas Forest Service as State Forester at the end of 2019. Sarah passed away March 29, 2020 with Larry passing on March 21, 2026.
Tracey Biles, daughter of Larry and Sarah Biles, assists in planting one of the memorial trees in honor of her parents.
The location for the tree plantings, both the city and a ballpark, were selected due to Larry and Miss Sarah’s love of the sport and connection to the community. Directly out of college, Larry began his forestry career in Hiawatha, where he met Miss Sarah, the new Home Economics teacher. Tracey Biles, Larry and Miss Sarah’s Daughter, who was actually born in Hiawatha, expressed that planting the memorial trees at the newly establishing baseball and softball complex in Hiawatha was a perfect location and tribute, as her Mother and Father enjoyed the sport immensely, playing well into their adult lives and that their “first date (a blind date) included a game of catch”. After much thought about what should be placed on the tree marker, in addition to their names, the words “Show Up” came to mind. Larry and Miss Sarah were “SHOW UP” kind of people…meaning that they fully understood and embraced the fact that showing up is the most important part of life, a community, and getting things accomplished. It is hoped that the trees and the marker will serve as lasting tributes to the Biles’ and also an inspiration and encouragement for others to “Show Up” in their daily lives.
The tree marker for the memorial tree includes the words "Show Up" to acknowledge the community centered way that Larry and Sarah Biles lived their lives.
Left to Right: Keith Erdley; Ryan Meininger and son Alex Meininger; Luke Terry and Jaime Terry; Troy Kolb; Richard Jarvis; Leslie Bruton and David Bruton; Tracey Biles; Keith Lynch; Roberta Dias; Ruth Randall; Sharon Hundley; Macy Swearingen, Nora Swearingen, and Marshall Swearingen.
Young Nora, granddaughter of Utilization and Marketing Forester Dave Bruton carrying the bucket to help water the trees. She was a big help and since she lives in the area, will be responsible for keeping an eye on the trees.
This planting was made possible through a cooperative and collaborative effort involving Doug Grimm, Grimm’s Gardens, Hiawatha Baseball and Softball Club, Hiawatha Tree Board, and the Kansas Forest Service. A pizza lunch was provided by Keith Lynch and the Bruton Family.
I hope that these trees will continue to carry forward the legacy of Larry and "Miss Sarah" for many years to come.
Dave Bruton
Utilization and Marketing Forester
(785) 313-2295
dbruton@ksu.edu