Francis R. Rohleder

Francis R. “Frank” Rohleder, 86, Hays, died Saturday, March 28, 2015 at the Via Christi Village.

He was born September 3, 1928 in Hays the son of Peter N. and Clara (Toepfer) Rohleder.  He was a graduate of St. Joseph’s Military Academy, Hays, in 1947.  After graduation, he was a member of the Kansas National Guard.  On October 4, 1948 he married Frances “Francie” Herman in Hays.  He was an electrician for over 54 years and owned and operated Rohleder Electric in Hays.  He worked for Jay Stewart Electric before purchasing the business.  He was an avid outdoorsman and loved the Kansas City Royals and Kansas City Chiefs.  He enjoyed watching college basketball and football, gardening and working in his yard, crafting yard art to display in his yard for every holiday, was an avid cook, and was passionate about fishing and camping.  He was the self-proclaimed “King of the Lake” from 1958 until 2004.  He cherished spending time with his family, friends, and grandchildren.  He was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church and the Third Degree St. Joseph Council #1325 Knights of Columbus. 

Survivors include his wife, of the home, two sons Eugene “Gene” Rohleder and Pete Rohleder and wife Terri, all of Hays, six daughters 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, a sister Mary Strunk of Wichita, thirteen grandchildren Jason Dechant, Aaron Dechant, Sarah Osburn, Josh McNiece, Jamie Gibson, Austin Gray, Jordan Gray, Scott Rader, Brian Rader, Nathan Rohleder, Nicole Rohleder, Kelli Mans, and Katie Mans, seven great grandchildren Sophie Dechant, Ella Dechant, Luke Osburn, Tyler Osburn, Caleb Osburn, Gavin Rader, and Oliver Rader, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers Ben, Otto, Alfred, and Lawrence Rohleder, and two sisters Helen Riedel and Laurina Kuhn.

Funeral services will be at 4:00 pm on Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 500 E. 19th Street, Hays.  Burial will be in the St. Joseph Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 4:00 until 8:00 pm on Tuesday and from 2:00 pm until 3:45 on Wednesday all at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine.  A parish vigil service will be at 6:30 pm followed by a Knights of Columbus Council #1325 rosary at 7:00, all on Tuesday at the funeral home.  Memorials are suggested to Hospice of Hays Medical Center, Thomas More Prep – Marian High School, or to family wishes, in care of the funeral home.  Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com