Benita "Petie" Rohr

Benita A. “Petie” (Engel) Rohr, age 92, of Hays, Kansas passed away Wednesday, August 21, 2024 in Hays. She was born November 11, 1931 in rural Ellis County to Fidelis Sr and Adeline (Befort) Engel. Benita graduated from Girls Catholic High School in 1949.

She married Conrad “Connie” L. Rohr, Sr on August 17, 1950 in Munjor, Kansas celebrating 64 years of marriage before his passing on January 1, 2014.

Benita began her career as a Telephone Operator for Southwestern Bell, then became a manager for operator services in Hays and went on to work for AT&T in Hutchinson. Benita retired as a Second Line Manager with over 28 years of service and 20 years of perfect attendance.

She was a member of St Joseph Catholic Church, Alter Society, Christian Mothers, Daughters of Isabella, VFW Auxiliary & Telephone Company Pioneers of America. She was a talented seamstress, making clothes for the family and sewing costumes and doing alterations for Becky's School of Dance. Benita enjoyed making many different crafts. She was an award-winning quilter for her detailed workmanship and made many quilts that her family will enjoy for years to come. She also donated quilts to various fundraisers in the community. Benita and Connie enjoyed playing cards and Bridge with friends. She loved spending time with family and friends, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Benita is survived by her children, Conrad (Debra) Rohr Jr of Wichita, Becky (Gary) Schaeffer of Hays; grandchildren, Matthew (Adriana) Rohr of Wichita, Courtney (Nathan) James of Wichita, Cherise Schaeffer (Stephen Barber) of Grandview, MO, Alex Schaeffer of San Marcos, CA; great grandchildren, Marleigh Rohr, Maira Rohr, Audrielle Rohr, Mateo Rohr, Brayden Watkins, Arianna Watkins all of Wichita, Liam Barber, Vincent Barber both of Grandview; and her siblings, Rosemary (Rosie) Pfeifer of Ellis, Therese Haas and Sandy Wilson both of Hays.

She was preceded in death by her siblings, Dorothy Mermis, Ruby Remy, Lorene (Renie) Kuhn, and Fidelis Engel, Jr.

Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Monday, August 26, 2024 at St. Joseph catholic Church in Hays with Fr. Fred Gatschet officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be Sunday 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM and Monday 10:00 AM – 10:30 AM all at Keithley Funeral Homes and Crematory-Brock’s Chapel 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601.

Rosary service by the Daughters of Isabella will be Sunday at 6:30 PM followed by a parish vigil at 7:00 PM all at Brock’s Chapel.

Memorial contributions are suggested to The Humane Society of the High Plains or Masses.

Memories and words of comfort may be shared on Benita’s tribute page at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com