Louis Joseph Degenhardt, 78, passed away Jan. 25, 2024, at University of Kansas Health Systems – Great Bend Campus, Great Bend, Kan. He was born April 29, 1945, in Hays, Kan., to Walter and Bernita (Wasinger) Degenhardt. He had previously been married to Cheri (Greenleaf) Walter and Sheryl (Blazek) Degenhardt. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, earning the rank of SP4(T).

Louis, a Great Bend resident, had been a long-time employee of T & C Manufacturing and Rice Engineering, previously working for Jomax Construction and Kansas Brick and Tile. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles and V.F.W. Post 3111, both of Great Bend. Louis was an avid Kansas City Chiefs fan and fisherman, and in his younger years enjoyed playing softball and pheasant hunting. In his spare time, he played the lottery and Keno, pastimes in which he was quite successful and lucky.   

Survivors include two daughters, Tami Johns of Great Bend, and Melissa Crawford and husband James of Great Bend; two sons, Derek Degenhardt and wife Courtney of Decatur, Texas, and Devon Degenhardt and wife Hannah of Great Bend; three brothers, Lloyd Degenhardt and wife Leeta of Larned, and Leon Degenhardt and wife Paula of Muskogee, Okla., and Richard Degenhardt of Great Bend; his sister, Kathy Foster and husband Brett of Rose Hill, Kan.; sister-in-law, Shirley Degenhardt of Great Bend; seven grandchildren, Gavin Crawford and wife Emily, Kamryn Johns, Khloe Johns, Brody Degenhardt, Jordyn Degenhardt, Grayson Degenhardt, and Fletcher Degenhardt; a great-grandson, Myles Crawford; and companion, Kim Silverie of Lyons. He was preceded in death by his parents, and brother, Larry Degenhardt.

The family will be present to greet friends 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024, at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, Feb. 5, 2024, at Bryant Funeral Home, with Father Aneesh Parappanattu presiding. Inurnment will follow at the Great Bend Cemetery, with Military Rites conducted by the Fort Riley Honor Guard. Memorials have been designated to Kansas Honor Flight, in care of Bryant Funeral Home, 1425 Patton Rd., Great Bend, KS  67530. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Bryant Funeral Home

1425 Patton Road

Great Bend, KS  67530

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Jan. 30, 2024