Jerry Dietz

Jerry Keith Dietz – age 85, of Hays, Kansas passed away on Thursday, November 2, 2023, at his home. He was born May 21, 1938, at WaKeeney, Kansas to Benjamin and Leah (Dietz) Dietz. He married Betty (Reitmeyer) on June 6, 1960, in Denver, Colorado.

Jerry was a retired Lieutenant Highway Patrol officer with the state of Kansas for 32 years and retired in 1996. After his retirement he worked five years with the state Inspection of Vehicles Department. Jerry grew up in WaKeeney and was a 1956 graduate of Trego Community High School. He was a veteran of the US Army, a member of the American Legion, a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, and has lived in Hays since 1980.

Jerry is remembered by his friends and family as having many interests and skills. Golfing was a love for Jerry regardless of his frustration with the game. He loved working with wood, metals, and tinkering with his ’34 Ford Coupe. Jerry’s favorite of all was having his whole family home and sharing memories, playing games, and toasting with cold bottles of beer on the back deck. His family knows he’s wearing his KC Chiefs jersey right now, grumbling about the play calling.

Jerry had several recent years of challenging health issues. His family appreciates all the friends, family and healthcare providers that graciously helped us through this time.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Betty, of the home; his children, Shara Brown and husband, Don, Sedona, AZ; Dora Dietz and Kini Spence, Castle Pines, CO; Connie Applegate and husband, Troy, Celina, TX; LeAnn Adams and husband, Steve, Wichita, KS; Gregory Dietz, Hays, KS; his grandchildren, Taylor Hashenberger; Alex Applegate; Ashley Applegate; Jared Dietz; Jacob Dietz, Ariel Lepard; his sister-in-law, Elda Dietz, WaKeeney, KS.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ben and Leah Dietz; and his brother, Vernon Dietz.

Funeral Services will be at 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, November 7, 2023, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 2703 Fort Street, Hays, Kansas with Reverend Brenda Rodgers officiating. Military Honors will be conducted at the church by the Hays V.F.W. Post No. 9076. The burial will take place at 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, at the Kansas Veterans Cemetery at WaKeeney, Kansas.

Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Monday, at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays and from 9:00 to 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, at Trinity Lutheran Church.

The family suggests memorials made payable to: St. Jude Childrens Hospital or American Cancer Society-Hope Lodge of Kansas City, Missouri in care of Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601.

Condolences can be left on Jerry's tribute page at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or via e-mail at clinesmortuary@eaglecom.net