HAYS — Earl V. Brenner, 93, died April 25, 2017, at Via Christi Village in Hays. Born Feb. 4, 1924, on the family farm near McCracken, he was the son of Leo James and Ina (Fitzgerald) Brenner. He was a graduate of McCracken High School and attended Fort Hays State University. On Feb. 3, 1948, he was united in marriage to Corrine L. Janke at St. Mary’s Church in McCracken. They celebrated nearly 60 years of marriage prior to her preceding him in death on Nov. 29, 2007. Earl was a farmer and rancher and from an early age he appreciated the beauty of the fields and pastures and fostered a love for cattle. He enjoyed helping as an usher at funerals for many years at St. Joseph Catholic Church, fishing with friends and family, and dancing polkas and listening to polka music.
He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, the Ellis Third Degree Knights of Columbus Council #2133, the Bishop Cunningham Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, and the Sunflower Polka Club.
Survivors include two sons, Lowell Brenner and wife Christine of Coats, and Lance Brenner and wife Michelle of Ellis; two daughters, Laytha Gnad and husband Michael of Hays, and Linda Lichtenwaldt and husband Tom of Tehachapi, Calif.; a daughter-in-law, Kathleen Brenner of Hays; two sisters, Ruth Houfman of Hutchinson and Marie Brack of LaCrosse; 16 grandchildren. Heidi Goff and husband Chane, Shannon Gnad and wife Jessica, Robin Lovewell and husband Tom, Brandy Ochs and husband EJ, Matt Brenner and wife Mandy, Dave Brenner and wife Stacey, Mitch Brenner and wife Cindy, Adam Brenner and wife Mindy, Lucas Lichtenwaldt and wife Marie, Marshall Lichtenwaldt and wife Alecia, Dustin Brenner and wife Luwana, Jesse Brenner, Josie Conkle and husband Sean, Jed Brenner and wife Chelsie, Alesha Brenner and fiance Chris Redding, and Brendon Brenner; 39 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Corrine; a son, Larry Brenner in 2014; a grandson, Jeffery Allen Brenner; and a great-grandson, Christian Lichtenwaldt.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday at the St. Joseph Catholic Church, 215 W. 13th in Hays. Burial will follow in the St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. today and from 9-9:45 a.m. on Friday, all at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home. The Bishop Cunningham Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus will stand honor guard from 5:3-6:30 p.m. today at the funeral home. A parish vigil service will be at 6:30 p.m. followed by a combined Third and Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus rosary at 7 p.m., both today at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to St. Joseph Catholic Church, in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com.
Funeral arrangements provided by
Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home*
1906 Pine Street
Hays, KS 67601
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, April 27, 2017
