Allen Keith Trexler was born to Roland and Edna (Rudman) Trexler October 9, 1930, at the family home in Palco, Kansas. During the first five years of his life, he lived in Palco before the family relocated to Hill City. In both communities, Allen treasured the time spent alongside his father, Roland Trexler, at the family grocery business, the Trexler Store, where he proudly delivered groceries on his tricycle. He shared a joyful childhood with his two younger sisters, Phyllis and Awyn. Together, the family filled their days with memorable adventures, especially water skiing at the lake and traveling to Colorado for fishing, camping, and elk hunting trips that became cherished traditions.
Allen attended school in Hill City, where he was active in football and debate and was honored as Homecoming King during his senior year. He and his classmates were instrumental in launching the campaign that changed the school mascot from the Tigers to the Ringnecks. During high school, Allen often visited the local drugstore, where a young woman named Carol Albertson worked at the soda fountain. What began as walks home together blossomed into a courtship that continued on and off for five years. Allen graduated from high school in 1949 and later attended Fort Hays State University, where he was a member of the TKE fraternity. While attending Fort Hays, Allen and Carol became engaged.
February 17, 1952, Allen and Carol were united in marriage in Hill City. Later that same year, with the help of his grandfather, Allen built a home on land the family had purchased four miles north of town. That property became the foundation of what would grow into Trexler Farm & Ranch over the next seven decades. Allen purchased Black Angus cattle and established the Trexler Bull Sales operation. Over the years, he and Carol took great pleasure in traveling across many states together delivering bulls and building lasting friendships along the way.
Allen and Carol were blessed with two children, Bradley Allen and Alynn Renee, early in their marriage of 69 years. Their children were raised on the family farm. Lynn pursued her passion for music, while Brad became deeply involved in FFA and excelled in public speaking. After college, Brad returned to Hill City to work alongside his father, and together they farmed and ranched for 45 years.
In 1968, Allen envisioned creating a privately owned, spring-fed lake on one of his properties. Through determination and the help of many others, that vision became a reality. Today, Trexler Lake remains a treasured gathering place for local residents and visitors from surrounding communities alike.
Allen was a steadfast presence in the Hill City community and delighted in sharing stories and memories from a lifetime spent in Graham County. He served on numerous boards, including the Graham County Fair Board, FHA, Library Board, Farmers & Merchants Bank Board, and an advisory board for Colby Community College. Alongside several friends, he also helped establish a Grazing Association, an accomplishment in which he took great pride. Outside of his work and civic involvement, Allen had a deep fascination with arrowheads and Native American artifacts and assembled an impressive collection over the years.
Watching his grandchildren — Meredith, Brittney, Gabe, and Keali — grow and pursue their passions were among Allen’s greatest blessings. He rarely missed a horse show or sporting event and could often be found behind a camera, capturing treasured moments. He and Carol faithfully followed Meredith and Brittney to horse shows throughout the state, attending 32 shows in a single summer. In later years, his heart was full watching his great-grandchildren, Blakeli, Briggs, Myles, and Marli, ride horses and spend time on the farm. He also treasured family dinners at Kim’s home, evenings spent on Jeff and Meredith’s deck, and short road trips to Norton to share meals with Ty and Lynn.
Allen often said there was no finer place on earth than Graham County and no better investment than to “buy dirt.” Through his hard work, vision, and devotion to family, he built a remarkable legacy that will endure for generations.
In recent years, Allen leaned heavily on Meredith’s husband, Jeff, who assumed an important leadership role at the farm and ranch, as well as on his devoted “manager,” Kim, and two compassionate caregivers, Brenda and Miranda, who cared for him with extraordinary kindness. Jerad and Brittney were always nearby to lend a hand, and they shared special memories with Allen, including taking him to his final Jayhawker Roundup Rodeo last summer. Though he endured profound loss in the past seven years, including the heartbreaking passing of his granddaughter Meredith, Allen remained steadfastly positive, always greeting others with a smile. He led countless family prayers, or “Amens”, and faithfully closed each one with the words, “So be it.”
Allen Keith Trexler entered eternal glory on Thursday, May 14, 2026. He was welcomed into Heaven by many who preceded him in death, including his beloved wife, Carol Trexler; son, Bradley Trexler; granddaughter, Meredith Trexler Drees; parents, Roland and Edna Trexler; sisters, Phyllis (Joe) Tremblay and Awyn (Noel) Ary; as well as his grandparents and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
He leaves behind his daughter Lynn (Ty) Bruton of Norton; daughter-in-law Kim Trexler of Hill City; granddaughters Brittney (Jerad) Johnson of Colby and Keali Casper of Norton; grandsons Jeff Drees of Hill City and Gabe Bruton of Minatare, Nebraska; eight great-grandchildren; and five nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life will be held Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 110 N. Ave. Hill City, Kansas. Private interment at a later date.
Memorials may be given to the Hill City High School – Trexler Scholarship or to the Hill City Methodist Church. Memorials may be sent in care of Stinemetz Funeral Home, 522 N. Pomeroy, Hill City, Kansas 67642.