ELLSWORTH — Dale L. Urbanek, 81, passed away Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023 in Hays, Kan. He was born Oct. 29, 1942 in Ellsworth, Kan. to James and Elsie (Belt) Urbanek. Dale was a lifetime resident of Ellsworth where he married Shirley Householter on Ja. 2, 1965.

Dale was preceded in death by his parents; wife Shirley; sister Betty Koerner; and brother Donnie Urbanek. He is survived by his children, Clay Urbanek (Connie) of Wichita, Kan., Phil Urbanek of Ellsworth, Marci White (Chuck) of Hays, and Julie Barnett of Hays; seven grandchildren and one great grandchild; and siblings, Marilyn Gardinier of Wichita, Jeannie Johannes of Mentor, Kan., and Carol Tanton of Ellsworth.

Dale loved hunting, fishing, fixing things, tinkering, playing cards, camping, dancing with his wife, Shirley, and spending time with his family. He was the Ellsworth County Magistrate Judge for 28 years, retiring in 2012. Dale was self-taught in playing the guitar and piano and belonged to the Ellsworth American Legion Post 174.

Visitation: 1-6 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023 at Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth. Family will greet friends 4-6 p.m. A vigil and rosary service will begin at 6 p.m.

Funeral mass: 10 a.m., Friday, Dec. 8, 2023 at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, Ellsworth with burial following at Ellsworth Memorial Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to St. Bernard’s Altar Society or Hays Med Hospice and Palliative Care, c/o, Parsons Funeral Home, PO Box 45, Ellsworth, KS 67439. Condolences can be left at parsonsfh.com.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Parsons Funeral Home 

PO Box 45 

Ellsworth, KS 67439

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Dec. 5, 2023