Thomas Dean Schertz, 82, of Winona, Kansas, passed away on May 30, 2024. Tom was born on the farm in rural Thomas County on January 9, 1942, to Bill and Florence (Berry) Schertz.
Tom went to school in Page City then Winona High School before beginning one of his life’s greatest joys: leading his family farm and cultivating God’s land to feed the world. To Tom, farming was not just his family’s livelihood, but his hobby and his passion. In a lifetime of farming, technology constantly changed, and Tom not only embraced the changes, but was excited about every new step forward. Tom always said, “The only thing about the good ole days, they are gone.” Tom considered himself retired when he sold the cows. However, Tom never retired from farming. This was evident in a million ways, but especially when he started a silage cutting business in his late 50’s-60’s. At one time the whole crew was over 65 years of age. His farm and love of farming will continue through his grandson, Brett Gfeller.
On December 21, 1963, Tom was united in marriage with the love of his life, Nancy Ann Atkinson. The couple recently celebrated 60 years of marriage with family and friends by their side. It was said by his nephew – “if you saw Tom, you saw Nancy.” From their union was born three daughters: Julie Sue (Kurt) Maurath of Oakley, Cindy Ann (Kent) Gfeller of Winona, and Kandy Dea (Andy) Kwapnioski of Marysville. Tom’s family was his pride and joy, and he loved family get-togethers and any chance to bond over a game of cards. Thanksgiving was always a “big” event at the farm. Extended family always knew they were invited. Food was abundant, stories extravagant and pitch was almost always the game of choice.Tom loved being a grandpa. He was always excited to spend time with his grandkids and the first to cheer them on in whatever adventure was ahead of them.
Most important to Tom was his relationship with Christ. Tom and Nancy were baptized in Scott City, because the Church of Christ did not have a building at the time. Tom and others were instrumental in buying the building in Oakley and starting a new congregation. He was involved from the beginning throughout his life. Tom took seriously his role as a Christian and strived to make sure that everybody he met knew and built a relationship with Jesus. His faith was evident in everything he did. There was never a family gathering where Tom didn’t pause the family for a prayer before the meal, no matter how full the house was.
Tom had a love for anything fast. He loved to drive fast, whether it was in his car, a ’59 red and white Ford, or later on the seat of a motorcycle. He raced motorcycles locally and sold them for a short time with David Gfeller (years later David’s son Kent would marry Tom’s daughter, Cindy). For years here was an annual motorcycle trip with church friends to the mountains of Colorado. The kids actually got to go once where they would ride 4 on 1 bike across the trails and the continental divide. Tom was always ready for a trip. In later years, Tom and Nancy would find themselves driving without a plan but always finding implement dealerships.
Tom and Nancy did everything together including getting their pilots licenses. He loved to fly and would even check cattle on the ranch with low flying maneuvers.
Always an entrepreneur, in the 90’s after selling his plane, he began a mower business (maybe because it gave him hours and hours to visit with people at garden and farm shows). The 3-I show was a “National Holiday” and was never missed. When he could no longer walk for miles, he would rent a golf cart or use his scooter. No matter what, he wanted to go!
Tom knew the value of a hard days’ work, never met a stranger, always had a smile and a joke to tell, and was always willing to lend a helping hand. He not only lived out these values but passed them down to his children and grandchildren.
Tom is survived by his wife of the home; his three daughters and sons-in-law; three sisters: Verla Moser of Colby, Shirley Cranston of Colby, and Kathy Haug of Long Beach, Washington; sister-in-law Lila Greene of Oakley; nine grandchildren: Adam (Jannessa) Maurath of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Leigh Ann (Abraham) Pfannenstiel of Oakley; Michael (Katherine) Maurath of Manhattan; Amberly (Jeff) Hennick of Oakley; Brett (Jill) Gfeller of Winona; Ryan (Cassidy) Gfeller of Garden City; and Wylde, Cash, and Ruby Kwapnioski of Marysville; and six great-grandchildren: Dawsyn, Sawyer and Hollynd Hennick and Bennelli, Walker and Carli Gfeller.
He is preceded in death by his parents, his mother and father-in-law, and four brothers-in law.
A visitation will be held on Sunday, June 2 from 5-7 pm at the Baalmann Mortuary in Oakley. Celebration of Life services will be held on Monday, June 3 at 10:00 a.m. at Church of Christ in Oakley with internment in the Winona Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Church of Christ, Oakley and sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701.