Cletis G. Hammerschmidt

Cletis G.(Gilbert) Hammerschmidt, age 96, of Hays, passed away Monday, October 10, 2016 at Via Christi Village, Hays. She was born March 25, 1920 in Achilles, Kansas to Floyd and Harriet (Raber) Gilbert. She graduated from Decatur County Community High School in 1938 and from Fort Hays State University in 1968 with a Bachelor of Science degree. She married Ben Hammerschmidt May 27, 1946 in Hays, Kansas. He preceded her in death December 20, 1985.

Cletis began her teaching career in 1939 at White Dove School which was a one room school house in Rawlins, County and retired from Roosevelt Elementary School in Hays where she taught for twenty years. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Daughters of Isabella, VFW Auxiliary, American Legion Auxiliary, Hays Historical Society, Prairie Garden Club, Hays Arts Council and Fort Hays State University Alumni Association. She enjoyed gardening, traveling, playing Bridge and spending time with family and friends.

She is survived by two sons, Ben Hammerschmidt (Marge) of Lincoln, Nebraska and Thomas Hammerschmidt (Virginia) of Salina, Kansas; a daughter, Kathlene Young (Peter) of Allen, Texas; a brother, Jay Gilbert of Colby, Kansas; six grandchildren, Eric Hammerschmidt of Lincoln, Nebraska, Ann Burk of Lincoln, Nebraska, Jennefer Loiselle (Todd) of Novi, Michigan, Bradley Hammerschmidt (Jennifer) of Brighton, Colorado, Janie Allen (Jon) of Rochester, Minnesota and Megan Davis (Greg) of Houston, Texas; 10 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, John Gilbert; a sister, Gly Shaw and a great grandchild, Jackson Treat Loiselle.

Funeral services will be 10 AM, Thursday, October 13, 2016 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Hays with burial to follow in St. Joseph's Cemetery.

Visitation will be Wednesday 4 PM - 8 PM and Thursday 9 AM - 9:30 AM all at Brock's-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601.

There will be an American Legion Auxiliary service Wednesday at 5:30 PM,a VFW Auxiliary service at 5:45 PM, a combined Daughters of Isabella and VFW Auxiliary rosary at 6:00 PM followed by a parish vigil service at 6:30 PM all at the funeral chapel.

Memorials are suggested to the Rectory Remodeling Project at St. Josephs Church or the Cancer Council of Ellis County.

Condolences may be left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or emailed to keithleyfuneralhomes@gmail.com











Service Information









Visitation Wednesday

October 12, 2016

4:00 PM to 8:00 PM



2509 Vine Street

Hays, Kansas 67601









Recitation of the Rosary Wednesday

October 12, 2016

6:00 PM



2509 Vine Street

Hays, Kansas 67601









Vigil Service Wednesday

October 12, 2016

6:30 PM



2509 Vine Street

Hays, Kansas 67601









Funeral Service Thursday

October 13, 2016

10:00 AM

St. Joseph Catholic Church

210 W. 13th

Hays, Kansas 67601