David F. Hertel

David F. Hertel, 64, Louisville, CO, formerly of Hays, died Sunday, November 11, 2018 at Juniper Village in Louisville.

He was born November 16, 1953 in Hays, the son of Albinus F. “Al” and Lucy C. (Lietz) Hertel.  He was a graduate of Thomas More Prep-Marian High School in the class of 1972 and received an associate degree from Fort Hays State University.  On May 17, 1974 he was united in marriage to Virginia Stecklein at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Munjor.  They celebrated over 44 years of marriage.  He was an oilfield roustabout and pumper and worked at Stecklein Oil Company and Hertel Tank Service, a family business.  He loved cutting wheat and custom cutting.  David received the Hays All American Citizen Award in 1996, he taught first and seventh grade religion classes at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, and he and Virginia sponsored couples through Engaged Encounters.  His memberships include St. Joseph Catholic Church and the St. Joseph Third Degree Knights of Columbus Council #1325.  Hobbies included woodworking, making functioning miniature pumping units, and he loved to tinker and could fix anything.  He was very patient, stuck with a project until it was completed, and most of all, he loved his family and they always came first.

Survivors include his wife, Virginia of Arvada, CO, two daughters; Christina Hertel and partner Stacy Kadota of Arvada and Lisa Hertel and husband Heath Ritchie of Westminster, CO, two brothers; Mike Hertel and wife Lori and John Hertel and wife Laura, all of Hays, a sister; Kathy and husband Patrick Thrash of Eastvale, CA, two grandsons; Spencer and Caden Hertel-Kadota of Arvada, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on David’s birthday, Friday, November 16, 2018 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 215 W. 13th Street, with Fr. Fred Gatschet officiating.  Burial will follow in the St. Francis Cemetery, Munjor.  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.  A Daughters of Isabella rosary will be at 5:00 pm, a vigil service will be at 6:30, followed by a Knights of Columbus rosary at 7:00, all on Thursday at the funeral home.  Memorials are suggested to TMP-Marian High School or the Alzheimer’s Association, in care of the funeral chapel.  Condolences and memories of David may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com  

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