Eugene Wesley Hoelscher, 85, passed away at University of Kansas Health System in Great Bend, Kan., Dec. 16, 2024. He was born April 14, 1939, to Spurgeon and Beulah Mae (Learned) Hoelscher in Hutchinson. He had been a resident of Great Bend since 1999, coming from Bushton.

Eugene joined the Army after high school and was stationed at Fort Riley from 1961-1963. After his service, he married Shirley Ann Shann May 31, 1970, at Salem United Methodist Church in Bushton. She died July 11, 2016. He worked for Northern Natural Gas/Enron, for 40 plus years, retiring as an operator. He also enjoyed his lifetime of farming and running cattle with his brother Delbert. After retirement, he stayed busy working at Walmart. He was an avid sports fan of his kids and grandkids, and in his down time, kept his mind busy doing word searches. 

Survivors include daughters, Lisa Ryan and her husband Jim of Claflin, Rosemary Werdahl of Holyrood, Phyllis Johnson of Manhattan, and Rita Hoelscher of Manhattan; brother, Delbert Hoelscher and his wife Sherry of Bushton; sister, Carolyn Rich and her husband Reverend Ron of Wichita; brother in law Dr. Dennis Finley of Wichita; grandchildren, Brandon Werdahl, LaKesha Johnson, Jasmin Johnson, Michael (Katie) Ryan, Janae Ryan, Devin Ryan, Emily Ryan, Peyton Ryan. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 46 years, Shirley Ann (Shann) Hoelscher; sister, Elaine Finley; and son in law, Jay Johnson.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024, at Salem Church in rural Bushton with Reverend Tom Reazin presiding. Interment will follow at Great Bend Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, at Bryant Funeral Home, with family receiving from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Memorials have been designated to Salem Scholarship fund, in care of Bryant Funeral Home, 1425 Patton Road, Great Bend, KS 67530. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Bryant Funeral Home

1425 Patton Road

Great Bend, KS 67530

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Dec. 19, 2024