Dennis Hastert

Dennis Hastert, age 81, of Greeley, Kansas passed away Friday, January 6, 2017 at the Residential Living Center, Garnett, Kansas. Dennis was born April 17, 1935 at Garnett. Dennis was the third of five children born to Tony and Mary (Katzer) Hastert. He attended school at Beeler School before attending Welda Grade School and later graduating from Garnett High School in 1953. Dennis was a hard worker all of his life, he began working at Seymore's Produce while he was in school. After graduating he moved to Oklahoma to work in the oil fields. In 1956 he moved to Wichita, where he worked at Boeing. On July 20, 1957 Dennis married Joyce Benefiel at Holy Angels Church, Garnett. This union was blessed with four children. They made their first home in Wichita until Dennis was drafted into the US Army in February of 1958. He was stationed at Fort Greeley, Alaska at the time Alaska became a state. He was honorably discharged in December of 1959. Dennis returned to Greeley, where he began farming with his dad. Dennis would later farm with his cousin, Leroy Lickteig before forming Hastert and Thompson Farms with his brother-in-law, Tommy Thompson. Following the death of Tommy, Dennis and his son, Mike, formed Hastert Family Farms until his retirement. In his retirement he still enjoyed keeping tabs on the farm activities. Dennis served on the Co-op Board of Directors and the final school board for Judy School. He enjoyed bowling, hunting, fishing and playing cards. He loved the outdoors and worked with the fish and game department to introduce wild turkey's to this area in the 1970's. His work with the turkeys earned him the Wildlife Habitat Conservation Award. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Don; and his brother-in-law, Tommy Thompson. Dennis is survived by his wife, Joyce of the home; four children, Dennis Hastert Jr. and Mary Koch of Garnett, Anthony "Merle" Hastert of Overland Park, Kansas, Mike Hastert and Renee Bellerive of Garnett, and Susan Grant and husband, Bill of Garnett; 12 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; sister, Darlene Thompson of Garnett; two brothers, Vernon Hastert and wife, Liz, of Ulysses, Kansas, and Glenn Hastert and wife, Ruth Lee of Garnett; sister-in-law, Marvel Hastert of Lawrence, Kansas; and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM, Wednesday, January 11, 2017 at the Feuerborn Family Funeral Service Chapel, Garnett. Burial will follow in the Holy Angels Cemetery, Garnett. The family will greet friends from 12:30 until the time of the service on Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Greeley First Responders and may be left in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left at www.feuerbornfuneral.com .