Gerald D. Kaiser

Gerald D. “Jerry” Kaiser, 81, Hays, died Monday, June 20, 2016 at the Hays Medical Center.

He was born September 24, 1934 in Park, Kansas the son of Tony and Frances (Melroy) Kaiser.  He graduated from Quinter High School and then entered the U.S. Army from 1953 until 1955.  After his discharge from the Army he entered the U.S. Navy from 1956 until 1958.  On August 10, 1959 he married Luetta M. Wolf in Grinnell, Kansas.  He was a lineman for Stouffer Flying Service for many years, he worked for the State of Kansas Highway Department, and was a store manager for Kaiser Liquor.  He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus Third Degree Council #1325, the Bishop Cunningham Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, was a founding member of the Knights of Columbus Clown Club, was past Grand Knight of Council #1325, and was one of the founders and Scout Master of Boy Scout Troop #111.   He enjoyed coaching baseball and softball, was an avid fisherman, enjoyed camping, woodworking, and his role as “Patches the Clown”, and prayed the rosary often.

Survivors include his wife, of the home in Hays, four sons; Tom Kaiser and wife Tracy of Hays, Randy Kaiser and wife Danna of Hays, Leonard Kaiser and wife Brenda of Great Bend, and Brian Kaiser of Hays, one daughter; Charlet Thompson and husband Bruce of Springfield, MO, a sister; Marlene Wolf and husband Melvin of Grinnell, KS, eleven grandchildren; Brent Kaiser and wife Annie of Hays, Scott, Trey, and Tate Kaiser of Hays, Jordyn Sanders and husband Jake of Hays, Kallyn Givan and husband Daniel of Katy, TX, Dallas and Reagan Kaiser of Hays, and Morgan and Molly Kaiser of Great Bend, and Trevor Thompson and wife Kaci of Lavaca, Arkansas, ten great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers; Bob and Raymond Kaiser, and a sister; Rita Herrman.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 am on Friday, June 24, 2016 at the St. Joseph Catholic Church, 215 W. 13th, Hays.  Burial with military honors by the Hays VFW Honor Guard will follow in the St. Joseph Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 4:00 pm until 8:00 on Thursday and from 9:00 am until 9:45 on Friday, all at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street.  The Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus will stand honor guard from 5:30 until 6:30 pm, a parish vigil service will begin at 6:30 pm, followed by a combined Third and Fourth degree rosary at 7:00 pm, all on Thursday at the funeral home.  Memorials are suggested to TMP-Marian High School or to the St. Joseph Church building fund, in care of the funeral home.  Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com