Grayden E. Tressler

Grayden E. Tressler, age 87, Colony, Kansas, passed away February 7, 2025, at Rock Creek Nursing Home, Ottawa, Kansas. Grayden was born July 13, 1937, in Colony, Kansas, to George Tressler and Gladys (West) Tressler.

Grayden attended school in Colony, graduating from Colony High School in 1955. He continued his education and obtained his teaching certificate from Pittsburg State Teachers' College, now Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, Kansas. Grayden and Willena R. Holloway were married June 20, 1964, in Colony. He served in the United States Army Reserve.

Grayden was a rancher and raised beef cattle as pets, and managed a flock of every known kind of bantam chicken. He also worked for Comstock Lumber in Colony from 1965 until he retired in 1996.

Grayden enjoyed gardening and trying different kinds of plants. He planted a few things he never wanted to try again, but was known to raise really good tomatoes. He loved trains, especially steam locomotives. He was excited to see "Big Boy" when it came through. Grayden was the unofficial historian of Colony history and could tell stories on nearly everyone's family, with his famously dry sense of humor.

Grayden was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Samantha Tressler; and his favorite dog, Sugar.

Grayden is survived by his wife, Willena R., sons, Grayden "Doug" Tressler and his wife, Lisa, Lawrence, Kansas, Brian Tressler, and his wife, Michele, Wichita, Kansas; grandchildren, Grayden "Ben" (Kathleen) Tressler, Joe (Sara) Tressler, Claire (Veera) Girireddy Gari, Aubrey Tressler, Nathan Tressler, Austin Holmquest, Sharayah (Taylor) Johnson, Zach Holmquest; and great-grandchildren, Grayden "Gray" Tressler, Fintan "Fin" Tressler, Scarlett Tressler, Sutton Tressler, Sameera Girireddy Gari, Wyatt Johnson, Lorelai Johnson, Roselinn Holmquest.

A visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Friday, April 18, 2025, followed by a memorial service at 10:30 a.m. in the chapel at Feuerborn Family Funeral Service, 1883 US Highway 54, Iola, Kansas. Inurnment will follow in the Colony Cemetery, Colony, Kansas.

Memorials are suggested to Gilead Lodge Scholarship Fund, and may be left with Feuerborn Family Funeral Service.

Condolences for the family may be left at www.feuerbornfuneral.com.