Irvin 'Lee' Werth

Irvin Lee Werth, 76, Hays, died Tuesday, September 21, 2015 at home. Irvin Lee was born January 11, 1939 in Schoenchen, Ks. Irvin was one of 12 children born to Frank & Lidwina (Tauscher) Werth. He was raised in Schoenchen where he attended grade school and graduated from Schoenchen High School in 1958.

Irvin Lee married Darlene Marie Ruder in Victoria at The Basilica of St. Fidelis on November 14, 1959. Irvin worked in a bakery for several years in Wichita, Ks. Irvin & Darlene returned to Schoenchen & Irvin began working for Hunter Construction Company. Irvin & Darlene started their own business, Smokey Hill Sand Company. During this time Darlene was a homemaker while raising the children with Irvin. Many years later Irvin was employed by Skillett & Sons, D & R Trucking. He eventually became an owner/operator of a semi truck and hauled a large variety of commodities to nearly every state in the United States. From these trucking years, many stories were shared with family & friends.

During his retirement years, Irvin worked for Ruder Farms owned by Darlenes brother, Wayne Ruder & nephew, Justin Ruder. He also spent his retirement transporting vehicles to local auto dealerships. Irvin enjoyed working on the Ruder farm as a hobby. He enjoyed telling many stories of his childhood days (mischief with his brothers & sisters), school days & childhood friends, trucking stories, and the good old days. He enjoyed his grandchildren & great grandchildren, woodworking & visiting with family & many friends. He really enjoyed food, especially Darlenes cooking. He would frequently boast of Darlenes cooking. He often said, "I have the best cook in the world at home." Irvin especially loved dancing with Darlene in his younger days and as the years passed he really enjoyed attending weddings of nieces, nephews and the grandchildren.

Irvin was a member of St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church and the St. Anthony Knights of Columbus Council No. 4166.

Survivors include his wife Darlene of the home; a son Bruce Werth & wife, Debby of St. George. Ks.; 3 daughters, Lu Ann & husband Dave Pfeifer of Ellis, Ks. , Karen & husband Roger Ochs of North Platte, Ne. & Kaylene Koerner of Hays, Ks. ; 3 brothers, Ernie Werth of Schoenchen, Glenn Richard Werth of Hays, Norman Steve Werth, Lancaster , CA; 5 sisters, Laurine Werth of Hays, Lillian Graf of Chandler AZ, Mary Ann Rindt of Wichita, Genavive Jenny Mendenhall of Hays, Cheryl Kay Thomas of Hays;14 grandchildren Galen (Abby)Werth, Kayla(Jason) Malay, Lynn (Landon) Leiker, Jamie(Nick)Panek, Courtney(William)Krokey, , Dr. Jordan Ochs, Danielle(Todd)Flinn, Kierra Ochs, Megan Koerner, Jillessa Ochs, Brady Koerner, Chase Ochs, Derek Pfeifer, & Chandler Koerner; 10 great grandchildren, Madilynn Parsons, Gracie Werth, Logan Leiker, Carley Krokey, Jacob Leiker, Alyssa Krokey, Kenzie Flinn ,Riley Leiker, Reagan Krokey & Oakley Panek. Other survivors include numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and infant grandson, Joseph Lee Koerner and 3 brothers, Francis Werth Jr., Fred Werth, & Robert F. Werth.

Memorial Mass will be at St. Anthonys Catholic Church, Schoenchen at 10:00AM on Friday, September 25. Inurnment will follow in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be from 6:00PM to 8:00PM Thursday, September 24 at Brocks-Keithley Funeral Chapel, 2509 Vine, Hays, KS. 67601. Rosary will begin @ 6:30PM with vigil @ 7PM. Friday morning visitation before the funeral will be at 9:00AM St. Anthonys Catholic Church, Schoenchen.

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

Memorials are suggested for masses and designated wishes of the family.











Service Information









Visitation Thursday

September 24, 2015

6:00 PM to 8:00 PM



2509 Vine Street

Hays, Kansas 67601









Recitation of the Rosary Thursday

September 24, 2015

6:30 PM



2509 Vine Street

Hays, Kansas 67601









Vigil Service Thursday

September 24, 2015

7:00 PM



2509 Vine Street

Hays, Kansas 67601









Memorial Mass Friday

September 25, 2015

10:00 AM

St. Anthony Catholic Church

Church street

Schoenchen, Kansas 67601