Memorial events for former Sen. Bob Dole planned in Washington and Kansas

Memorial events celebrating the life of former Sen. Bob Dole will start Thursday in Washington and end over the weekend in his home state of Kansas.

Dole died Sunday morning in his sleep at age 98, prompting an outpouring of support and memories from political figures and the public in Kansas and nationally.

The Dole Institute of Politics at the University of Kansas announced memorial details Tuesday.

For all his accomplishments, Dole wanted to be remembered for his service – particularly as a soldier who lost the use of his right arm on the battlefield in Italy. He described to Fox News in May 2013 how he wanted to be recalled: "Veteran who gave his most for his country."

As a politician, Dole was a major force in the Republican Party for three decades. That service began in 1971, when he was its national chairman, and culminated in 1996, as the GOP presidential nominee in an election lost to Democrat Bill Clinton.

An appreciation: A belief in hard work, an aversion to big talk and Kansas roots he never lost: Bob Dole's abiding legacy

Former Kansas Republican Sen. Bob Dole died Sunday at age 98.
Former Kansas Republican Sen. Bob Dole died Sunday at age 98.

Lie in state, funeral, wreath-laying ceremony in D.C.

The former U.S. senator from Kansas will lie in state Thursday in the U.S. Capitol. There will be a private memorial service at 10 a.m., with President Joe Biden and Elizabeth Dole attending.

A funeral service will take place Friday at Washington National Cathedral. Biden and former presidents are among the politicians expected to attend.

Following, a public event will also be at the World War II Memorial on the National Mall, featuring remarks and a wreath-laying ceremony. Speakers include Gen. Mark A. Milley, 20th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Savannah Guthrie of NBC News and actor Tom Hanks. The U.S. Army Band will perform.

Memorial service, lie in repose in Kansas

Dole's casket is set to arrive in Kansas on Friday evening at Hays Regional Airport, to be met by a delegation, including Gov. Laura Kelly.

A public memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in the gymnasium at Russell High School, Dole's alma mater. Former U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts and current U.S. Sens. Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall will offer remarks. Members of the public will be able to pass by Dole's casket to pay their respects.

Dole's body will then be received at the Kansas Statehouse on Saturday evening for a private ceremony where Moran, Marshall, former Sen. Nancy Kassebaum Baker and former Congressman Jim Slattery will give remarks. The period of lying in repose will begin at 5 p.m.

More: Bob Dole spent 60 years in the political spotlight. His rise to national prominence started in small-town Kansas.

Andrew Bahl is a senior statehouse reporter for the Topeka Capital-Journal. He can be reached at abahl@gannett.com or by phone at 443-979-6100.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Bob Dole funeral services scheduled in Washington and Kansas