Bert Daniel Gansel passed away at the Graham County Hospital on Jan. 30, 2024, at the age of 92. He was born Oct. 17, 1931, to Ferd and Virginia Gansel, on the family farm outside of Hill City.
Bert married the true love of his life, Marianne Rouse, in the middle of a major snowstorm on Nov. 26, 1952. Bert and Marianne were married for over 71 years.
Family was Bert's pride and joy, and time spent with his family was his favorite. His most treasured place to be was Colorado, and Bert and Marianne owned a cabin in Woodland Park for almost 50 years. Many memories were made in Colorado, and the entire family has developed a similar love for the state.
Bert took great pride in the fact that he was a graduate of Fort Hays State College. For over 60 years, he was involved with the family business, Farmer's Lumber. He also designed residential and commercial plans in the evenings to support his family. His hobby was woodworking, and he spent countless hours in his shop creating wonderful projects. He was a longtime member of the local Methodist church, serving on many committees and in several capacities. Bert also served on the Hill City Council.
Bert is survived by his wife Marianne of the home. Other survivors include his children: Greg (deceased wife Debbie), Hill City; Jeff (wife Sheryl), Salina; and Jean (husband Craig), Wimberley, Texas; his grandchildren: Michelle Billips (husband Brett), Hill City; Michael Horton, Hill City; Amanda Aulbach (husband Matt), Kyle, Texas; and Nolan Morris (wife Ili), Wimberley, Texas; his great-grandchildren: Gabi Bryant (husband Wyatt), Great Bend; Gracie Billips, Garrett Billips, and Greeley Billips, all of Hill City; Halle Morris, Wendell Morris, and Remy Morris, all of Wimberley, Texas; Declan Aulbach and Annie Aulbach, both of Kyle, Texas; and Raif Horton, Hill City; a great-great grandchild Saige Bryant, Great Bend; his sister Virginia Marie Cafferty, Boise, Idaho; his brother Frank "Bud" Gansel, Hill City; and sister Phyllis (husband Warren) Slocombe, Manhattan. Bert was preceded in death by brother-in-law Alan Cafferty; brother Richard (and wife June) Gansel; sister Jeanette (and husband Lee) Miller; and sister-in-law Kathy Gansel.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, Febr. 5, 2024, at Stinemetz Funeral Home, 522 N. Pomeroy, Hill City, KS 67642. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 6 at The Hill City United Methodist Church, followed by burial in Memorial Lawn Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to the Graham County EMS and may be mailed to Stinemetz Funeral Home, 522 N. Pomeroy, Hill City, KS 67642.
Condolences for the family may be left on the funeral home website, www.stinemetzfh.com.