Valerius J. Rohleder

Valerius “Val” J. Rohleder age 94, of Abilene, Kansas passed away on Thursday, August 8, 2024. Val was born to Nick and Minnie (Dreiling) Rohleder on December 19, 1929, in Emmeram, Kansas. Val married Tina (Geist) on October 15, 1956, in Hays, Kansas.

He graduated from St. Joseph Military Academy in Hays in 1948. He joined the U.S. Army and served in the Korean War. In 1978, Val and Tina moved to Abilene KS where they opened their business Pioneer Farm and Ranch Supply. Val coached baseball and taught religion classes for his church, but his greatest passion was running his farm store. Val worked in his store for more than 40 years before retiring at age 90. He was a member of St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Abilene, the St. Joseph Knights of Columbus 3rd Degree and the Bishop Cunningham Assembly 4th Degree Knights of Columbus both of Hays, KS.

Val is survived by his wife, Tina, of the home; his three children, Nick Rohleder and wife, Teree, Salina, KS; Jody Jenkins and husband, Dr. Jim, Junction City, KS; Amy Dautel and husband, Mark, McPherson, KS; his six grandchildren, Samantha; Kristan; Hunter; Hannah; Jordan and Dustin; his ten great grandchildren; and his sister-in-law, Yvonne Rohleder-Braun, Hays, KS.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Nick and Minnie Rohleder; his sisters, Petronella “Pete” Graf; Theresa Von Lintel; Rita Wolf; Josita “Jo” Pfannenstiel; Mary “Janie” Polifka; and his brother, Ronald “Ronnie” Rohleder.

A visitation will be at Martin-Becker-Carlson Funeral Home in Abilene, on Monday, August 12th from 5:30-7:30 P.M. with a Rosary at 5:30 P.M.

A visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Tuesday, at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays with a vigil service and a combined Knights of Columbus and Daughters of Isabella rosary at 7:00 P.M. Tuesday, and from 9:30 to 10:30 A.M. Wednesday, at the Church. The 4th Degree Knights of Columbus will stand Honor Guard from 6:00 to 7:00 P.M. Tuesday, at the mortuary.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 A.M. Wednesday, August 14, 2024, at The Basilica of Saint Fidelis, 900 Cathedral Ave., Victoria, Kansas with celebrant, Father James Moster O.F.M. Cap. A burial will be at Saint Fidelis Cemetery Victoria, Kansas. A luncheon will follow at the Victoria V.F.W. Hall. 

The family suggest memorials made payable to: St. Andrew’s Catholic Church for Masses; St. Andrew’s School; or Hospice of Dickinson County in care of Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601.

Condolences can be sent via e-mail to clineschapels@gmail.com or can be left at guestbook at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com