Valerian Ochs, Oakley
January 1, 1943 - October 30, 2023
Valerian “Larry” Ochs, 80, passed away Monday, October 30, 2023, at the Logan County Senior Living in Oakley, KS. Larry was born in Quinter, KS on January 1, 1943, to Clem and Emma Helen (Gallagher) Ochs.
He grew up on a farm south of Hoxie, KS and attended Hoxie Schools. Larry graduated from Sheridan County High School with the class of 1960.
He entered the Armed Forces in 1961 and was stationed at Fort Carson for six months then served in Germany for 18 months. Larry served his country for two years before returning to the family farm. In 2001, Larry returned to Germany when he and his wife took a trip there.
Larry married Virginia Ziegler on May 22, 1965, at the St. Agnes Catholic Church in Grainfield, KS.
They lived on the farm and continued to farm with his dad, and later with his brother, raising cattle and crops. Larry and Virginia eventually moved to Grainfield, KS. Once he quit farming, he worked for the Kansas Department of Transportation for a number of years. Larry and Virginia sold their home in Grainfield in 2021 and moved to Logan County Senior Living in Oakley.
The loves of Larry’s life were his wife Virginia, daughter Melissa, grandsons and great-grandkids. He also enjoyed spending time with his aunts and uncles, numerous cousins and nieces and nephews.
Larry is survived by his wife Virginia, of Oakley, KS; two grandsons, Dexter Herl (Tiffany Thomas) and Derek Herl, all of Grainfield; great-grandchildren, Deagon, Deighton and Kaelynn Herl, Kaitlyn Herskowitz Brooklyn Herl, Brooklyn Thomas, Leighton Bliss and Robin Bliss; sisters, Carol Geerdes and Deanna Kennedy, both of Hoxie, and brother Dan Ochs, who resides on the family farm, Grainfield, KS.
He was preceded in death by his daughter Melissa Herl, who died July 12, 1991, and his parents Clem and Emma Helen Ochs.
Memorials may be made to the Grainfield American Legion or Beougher Field in Grainfield and sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, P.O. Box 391, Colby, KS 67701.
For information or condolences visit baalmannmortuary.com.