Surrounded by family, Herbert Rudolf Schritter passed from this life on February 18th, 2024 at Citizens Medical Center in Colby, Kansas.
Herbert was born April 8th, 1935 in rural Cheyenne County. He went to country school before attending Kanorado High School, where he met Carolyn, his wife of 66 years. Herbert and Carolyn were married Christmas Eve of 1954 in California before Herbert deployed overseas to serve in the Army. Herbert proudly served his country in the Army from 1954-1956 and in the Reserves from 1956-1962. Herbert was awarded the Army Occupation Medal (Germany) and the Good Conduct Medal. He was a member of the VFW in Goodland.
After his time in the Army, Herbert began his lifelong stewardship of farming. He and Carolyn welcomed their first child, Evelyn, in 1957, their son, Neil, in 1958, and their youngest daughter, Diane, in 1960. He lived on his farm in Kanorado with his family until 2014, when his wife was admitted to Prairie Senior Living Complex. Herbert lived in Colby to be near to Carolyn, whom he visited daily. After four years, Herbert’s declining health resulted in his placement in the nursing home as well. Herbert and Carolyn spent their final years together again.
Herbert took pride in his work and family. Every year, the family came together to butcher meat for the year. It was always a cherished time which became a tradition that has spanned generations. Family gatherings were never short of love, laughter, or food, and always ended around the table playing cards. Herbert loved playing cards and taught his children and all his grandchildren to play four-point-pitch. No holiday is complete without a few games of pitch. Herbert also enjoyed woodworking, hunting, and fishing.
Herbert and Carolyn were blessed with a large family. Herbert is survived by his children, Evelyn (Don) Martin of Colby, Neil Schritter of Kanorado, and Diane (Tim) Leffler of Oberlin; grandchildren Chad Mann (Nicole) of Kanorado, Erica (Travis) Lehman of Washington, KS, Aaron (Missy) Mann of Brewster, Sara (Brenton) Kirkhart of Colby, Melissa Schritter (Nate) of Goodland, Chris Schritter (Sydney) of Brewster, Michael (Kristy) Karnes of Colby, Jessica Karnes of Almena, and Amy Kier of Norton; 24 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great-grandchildren, with 3 more great-great-grandchildren due in the coming months; sister Gertrude Swayne, sister-in-law Carolee Schritter, brother-in-law Larry McClung, brother-in-law Bill (Shauna) Richardson, sister-in-law Marsha Brachtenbach, brother-in-law Dave Poss; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Herbert is joyfully welcomed to heaven by his beloved wife, Carolyn (Richardson) Schritter; parents Rudolf and Christina (Lippert) Schritter, infant sister Evelyn, parents-in-law Delbert and Inez (Fairbanks) Richardson, and stepfather-in-law Addison Long; brother Albert Schritter, sister Vivan McClung, brother-in-law Ted Swayne, sister-in-law Nadyne Poss, brother-in-law Tony Richardson, a stillborn sibling-in-law; a grandson-in-law Chad Kier and a nephew Mark Swayne.
Memorial contributions may be designated to The NWKS Foundation for Hope and may be left at the services or mailed to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland, KS 67735.