Eugene Leon "Gene" Rohleder

Eugene Leon “Gene” Rohleder

Eugene Leon "Gene" Rohleder, 68, Hays, died Sunday, March 25, 2018 at the Ellis Good Samaritan Society. 

He was born July 7, 1949 in Hays the oldest child of Francis R. "Frank" and Frances "Francie" (Herman) Rohleder.  Gene was well known and loved in and around Hays and he loved people, family, babies, animals, and horsing around with family and friends.  He was an avid Kansas City Royals and Chiefs fan, and he enjoyed going to baseball games and he also enjoyed spending time at Bethesda Place and was very active with the other men and staff while there.  Trips to the country to watch harvest and south of town to watch the buffalo herd were very special to Gene, and he also enjoyed trips to the zoo, miniature golf, bowling, swimming at the old Massey Park Pool, McDonald’s, Dairy Queen, and dancing at weddings and anniversaries.  He collected horse statues, cans for recycling, and he enjoyed trips to the local fire station to visit with the firefighters, he loved the firetrucks, the firemen, and policemen.  He was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church.

Survivors include his mother; Francie of Hays, a brother; Pete Rohleder and wife Terri of Hays, six sisters; Mary Kay Dechant and husband Steven of Hutchinson, Chris McNiece and husband Jim of Wichita, Conni Dreher and husband Marion of Hays, Joan Gray of Wichita, Gloria Rader and husband Bob of Hays, and Dianna Mans and husband Joe of Topeka, 13 nieces and nephews; Jason Dechant, Aaron Dechant, Sarah Osburn, Joshua McNiece, Jamie Gibson, Austin Gray, Jordan Gray, Scott Rader, Brian Rader, Nate Rohleder, Nicole Windholz, Kelli Mans, and Katie Mans, and numerous great nieces, nephews, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father; Frank Rohleder on March 28, 2015.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Wednesday, March 28, 2018 at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 1805 Vine Street, with Fr. Don Zimmerman and Fr. Leo Blasi officiating.  Burial will follow in the St. Joseph Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 4:00 pm until 8:00 on Tuesday and from 9:00 am until 9:45 on Wednesday, all at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street.  A vigil service and rosary will be at 6:30 pm on Tuesday at the funeral home.  Memorials are suggested in Gene’s memory to Bethesda Place, in care of the funeral home.  Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com

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