Richard Rommelfanger

Richard Leon Rommelfanger, age 91, of Greeley, Kansas, passed away on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at Residential Living Center in Garnett.

Richard Leon Rommelfanger was born on March 21, 1933 to Nicholas Godfred and Mary Christina (Westerman) Rommelfanger in Greeley, Kansas. Richie attended grade school at St. John's Catholic School and graduated from Greeley High School with the Class of 1951. He was a lifelong member of St. John The Baptist Catholic Church at Greeley.

Richard was united in marriage to Doris Jean Blackmore on September 3, 1956, at St. John The Baptist Catholic Church, Greeley, Kansas. This union was blessed with five children.

As a young man Richie helped his Uncle Bill Rommelfanger at the Creamery by picking up cream and eggs from local farms. During his high school years he spent his summers helping his former Greeley neighbors, Marvin and Velma Cuddy, who had then moved to Osawatomie, by doing odd jobs for them and also helping build batteries at their radio repair shop. After high school Richie worked construction for Carruthers Construction for a short time before going to work as a truck driver for Fluor Corporation, Paola, Kansas. Richie was drafted into the United States Army in 1953 and served in the Korean Conflict, spending 18 months in Korea. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Korean Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal. He was honorably discharged from active military service in 1955. He then returned to work for Fluor until December 1960 when he went to work managing the Greeley Lumber Company for Mary Huettenmueller. Richie and Doris Jean purchased the Greeley Lumber Company in 1965 and then purchased the Greeley Hardware in 1978, building a family business that they cherished for over 60 years until their retirement.

Richie also worked for the City of Greeley beginning in 1959 and served on the Greeley City Council and as Greeley City Clerk for 47 years. He served as Sexton at the Greeley-Walker Cemetery since 1961 and also took care of the St. John's Cemetery and the Sutton Valley Cemetery for many years until his health would no longer allow it. He volunteered with the Greeley Fire Department beginning in 1957 and then the Anderson County Rural Fire Department when it was formally organized until his retirement. Richie was a member of Knights of Columbus Council #1901 since 1951 and served as its financial secretary for 39 years. In 1981 he became a member of the Cardinal Glennon Assembly Fourth Degree of the Knights of Columbus. He was a member of the Greeley V.F.W. Post 6887 since 1955.

Richie was deeply committed to his family, his church and his community, dedicating countless hours and always offering a helping hand to those in need.

Richard was preceded in death by his wife, Doris Jean Rommelfanger on February 20, 2021; his parents; sister, Rosetta Rommelfanger; brothers-in-law, John (Ronald) Lanzrath and Leo Sommer.

Richard is survived by his five children, Larry Rommelfanger of Greeley, Kansas, Mike Rommelfanger and wife Dana of Baldwin City, Kansas, Don Rommelfanger and wife Susan of Cassoday, Kansas, Sherry Carpenter and husband Robert of Yoakum, Texas, and Margie Bowman and husband J.C. of Greeley, Kansas; four grandchildren, Josh Rommelfanger and Katlyn Pratt, Sarah Rommelfanger and Wes Bevans, Michelle Haupt and husband Kyle, and Kristen Burdette and husband Andrew; two great grandchildren, Wyatt Haupt and Laikyn Haupt, and a great granddaughter on the way; sisters, Irmina Lanzrath of Paola, Kansas, and Dorothy Sommer of Greeley, Kansas; bonus grandchildren, nieces, nephews and many extended family members and friends.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 A.M., on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at St. John The Baptist Catholic Church, Greeley, Kansas, with burial following in the St. John's Cemetery. A Rosary will be held at 6:00 PM on Monday evening at St. John's Church, followed by visitation from 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM at St. John's Hall in Greeley. Memorial contributions may be made to Greeley Knights of Columbus #1901 or St. John's Cemetery Fund and left in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.feuerbornfuneral.com.