LARNED — Jerry Allen Nuss, 71, died Sept. 29, 2019 at The University of Kansas Health Systems, Pawnee Valley Campus.
He was born Aug. 16, 1948 in Great Bend to Herbert R. and Kathryn Elizabeth (Wagner) Nuss.
On April 3, 1971, he married Candice (Candi) R. Colburn at Ventura, Calif.
A longtime area resident, he grew up in Great Bend where his first job was working for the Dillons store there up until the time he left for the Navy. He later moved to Larned from California in 1972 after returning from serving two tours in Vietnam in the United States Navy as an aviation electronics warfare technician. After settling in Larned, he enlisted in the United States Army National Guard achieving the rank of Sergeant First Class. During his 40 plus years in Larned, he worked at Dillons, until they became Kroger, then for Larned State Hospital, Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility as a Corrections Specialist, Pawnee County Sheriff’s Office, and Prisoner Transport Service.
Jerry had a love of hunting and the outdoors, especially with his gun dogs Gunner and Ruger. When not enjoying the outdoors, his fondness of doing yard work and woodworking in his garage filled up his spare time with his sidekick Bandit.
Jerry loved his grandchildren immensely and cherished every moment he had with them. His time with them was spent reading books to them, riding four wheelers, looking for the next hunting spot, building furniture for them, enjoying movies together, and teaching them about Vietnam and history. He enjoyed researching his family’s heritage and learning the history of his ancestry back to the Volga Germans. He had a strong interest in the legal system, was an avid reader of James’ Patterson books, and a strong advocate for veteran’s affairs, especially those that served in Vietnam.
He is survived by his wife, Candi; two sons, Brian (Kelly) Nuss, Silverdale, Wash.; Josh (Lindsay) Nuss, Junction City; four grandchildren, Colton, Levi, and Macey Nuss, all of Silverdale, Wash., and Amelia (Milly) Nuss, Junction City. He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Kevin Michael Nuss; two brothers, Larry and George Nuss and his sister, Florine Arend.
Funeral 10 a.m. Saturday at Beckwith Mortuary Chapel, Larned, with Pastor David Spare presiding. Military Rites presented by the United States Navy immediately following the service, Beckwith Mortuary, Larned. Visitation 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at Beckwith Mortuary. Burial 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Fairview Township Cemetery, Galatia, Kan. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the Fischer House, a program for housing veterans and their families while they receive medical treatment. Visit www.FischerHouse.org for more information. Memorials may be given in care of Beckwith Mortuary, PO Box 477, Larned, Kansas 67550. Personal condolences may be left at www.beckwith mortuary.com.
Funeral arrangements provided by
Beckwith Mortuary
P.O. Box 477
Larned, KS, 67550
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Oct. 2, 2019
