Lester A. Herrman

Lester Anthony Herrman, age 88, of Hays, Kansas passed away Saturday January 4, 2025, in Hays. Les was born April 19, 1936, in Loretta, Kansas to Reinhold A. and Josephine (Kuhn) Herrman.

He attended Antonino grade school and graduated from St Joseph's Military Academy in 1954. He then attended Fort Hays State University graduating with a BS in PE and History in 1958 and a MS in Education in 1959. Les went on to earn a doctorate degree from Indiana University in 1973. 

On November 23, 2001, he married Brenda Garlene (Moore) in Hays, Kansas. Les and Brenda truly enjoyed their time traveling together and participating in the Hays Lions Club together as well as their shared family time. 

Les’ distinguished career as an educator, athletic director, realtor and his community involvement is certainly an accomplishment. As an Instructor, Athletic Director and Principal starting in 1958 at Jefferson West Junior High in Hays, Kansas, Harrison Junior High in Great Bend, Kansas, Ellinwood High School, Spearville High School, and through 1980 at Norton High School. 

In 1980 Les started his career as a Realtor with Dean Ellner and became a very successful realtor. He was awarded the ERA top 100 Winners Circle award, top 25 award, top 5 award and was named the ERA Agent of the year for Western Kansas in 1985. One of Les’ favorite closings was dressing up as Santa Claus and arriving with a contract in hand on Christmas Eve to close a sale. The husband had not purchased his wife a present yet and Les suggested the Santa surprise and the family was very happy. That was the type of Realtor Les was for his clients.

Les’ board memberships are extensive as well. These include Fort Hays State Alumni Board and Athletic Board, Knights of Columbus, Hays Rec, Hays Lion’s Club where he served in many capacities including President, Zone Chairman, Regional Chairman, District Governor, and State Council Chairman. 

Les was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Hays.

Survivors include his wife Brenda Herrman of Hays, Kansas; the mother of his children, Janet Stratton of Great Bend, Kansas; children, Trudy Alstatt of Hays, Kansas, Tamy Niernberger of Rose Hill, Kansas, and Curt Herrman of Manhattan, Kansas; stepchildren, Cynthia Henderson of Elizabeth, Colorado and Kimberly Kilhoffer of Centennial, Colorado; his siblings, sisters, Carol Danielson, and Linda Mayberry, and a brother, Leon Herrman; grandchildren, Josh Bantam, Kristin Fox, Brett Alstatt, Brodie Herrman and Mason Herrman; step grandchildren, Becky and Tammy Niernberger, Drew and Cannon Kilhoffer and Greyson Henderson as well as 10 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Edna Rohr and Doris Winslow; and brothers, Elmer, Cyril, Roy, Frank, Donnie and J.R. Herrman.

Funeral services will be 10:00 AM Friday, January 10, 2025, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Hays, Kansas. Burial will follow in the Our Lady Help of Christians Cemetery in Antonino, Kansas.

Visitation will be 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Thursday at Keithley Funeral Homes and Crematory-Brock’s Chapel 2509 Vine Hays, Kansas 67601. Friday visitation will be 9:00 AM until service time at the church.

A combined parish vigil and rosary service will be at 7:00 PM Thursday at Brock’s Chapel.

In Lieu of flowers memorial contributions are suggested to be made payable to the Hays Lions Club or HaysMed Hospice. 

Please share memories on Les' tribute page at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com