Senate Honors Mentzer M. Burdette Mentzer was raised in Yates Center, one of ten children in his family. Nine of those children served their country during the Second World War. Mentzer was a sergeant in the Army Air Corps, and six of his brothers also served in the armed forces. His two sisters served in defense industrial plants in the United States. Pictured in the Kansas Senate (left to right) are: Senator Derek Schmidt, Asia Larson (great granddaughter of Burdette and granddaughter of Kay), Marie Mentzer, Ashtyn Mentzer, (great granddaughter of Burdette and daughter of Jonas and Dana) Burdette Mentzer, Kay Thummel, (daughter of Burdette) Jonas Mentzer (grandson of Burdette) and Dana Mentzer. (wife of Jonas)