Gerald Lee "Jerry" Staab

Gerald Lee “Jerry” Staab

Gerald Lee “Jerry” Staab, 75, Hays, died Friday, June 14, 2024 at his home.

He was born September 26, 1948 in Hays the son of Alfred and Alice (Zimmerman) Staab.  He graduated from St. Joseph Military Academy and attended Fort Hays State University on a baseball scholarship.  On June 6, 2009 he was united in marriage to Sharon (Leiker) Hammerschmidt in Hays.  Jerry worked at Travenol, St. Anthony Hospital, and was a food salesman for 35 years.  He was a St. Catherine third degree member of the Knights of Columbus, was a talented outfielder while at FHSU, and also with the Hays Larks and Legion baseball teams.  Jerry never met a stranger and he loved to mow the lawn and when finished, he would fetch a glass of ice tea and watch the grass grow again with Sharon.   His grandkids truly meant everything to him.

Survivors include his wife Sharon, of the home in Hays, children Curt Staab and wife Beth of Lansdale, PA and their children Ryan, Collin, and Trevor, Sarabeth Verbeck and husband Todd of Wichita and their son Cody Verbeck, Lyle Hammerschmidt and wife Abby of LaCrosse and their children Maylee and Bo, Ross Hammerschmidt and fiancé Kendra Barnes of LaCrosse and their daughter Amy, and Abby Stapleton of Hays and her daughter Diana, and a brother Dennis Staab and wife Marla of Catharine.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his step-mother Sophie Staab, and two grandsons Cody Cawood and Trae Whipple.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Wednesday, June 19, 2024 at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Catharine with Fr. Earl Befort officiating.  Inurnment will follow in the church cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 9:00 am until service time on Wednesday at the church.  Memorials are suggested in Jerry’s memory to the Hays Larks.  Services are entrusted to Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home and condolences and memories of Jerry may be shared with the family at haysmemorial.com