Raymond “Ray” August Rumpel was born September 1, 1940, at the Osborn Hospital in WaKeeney. He was the oldest child born to August John and Mary Ann (Mumert) Rumpel. He passed away at Trego County Lemke Hospital Long Term Care on September 22, 2021, just 21 days past his 81st birthday.
On August 15, 1962, he was united in marriage to Evea Higgins at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church of Ness City. He was a lifelong member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in WaKeeney until its closing December 31, 2020.
Ray attended Bosna country grade school all eight grades. He attended Trego Community High School graduating in 1959. He farmed with his dad as a young man. He started mechanic work at Jamison Motor Co, then at M & B Chevrolet before working at Western Cooperative Electric in December 1968 retiring on September 3, 2002. After his retirement he used his bucket truck to cut trees, hang signs, wiring and other things that could not be reached safely with a ladder.
Ray was a “Fair” person beginning as a youth in 4-H, then as a superintendent when his children were in 4-H and exhibited livestock, then as a Fair Board member for more than 20 years. He was “Mr. Fix it” whenever things needed repair he was called upon. He was inducted into the Kansas Fairs and Festivals Association Hall of Fame Jan 6, 2006. He served as an extension board member of the Golden Prairie Extension District thru 2019. He was honored as Grand Marshall in the fair parade in August 2013.
He was a serving as a Board of Director of the Northwest Kansas Agency on Aging and Trego County Fair Board member at the time of his death. He was a volunteer at the Trego County Senior Center helping with the distribution of meals on wheels for several years. He was a charter member of the WaKeeney Eagles.
Survivors are his wife Evea, of the home; daughter Lynette Rumpel (Lonnie Werth) of Hays; son Aaron Rumpel of WaKeeney; brothers Carroll “C.J.” (Debbie) of Murrietta, CA and Dwight (Sharon) of Topeka; sister Maryetta Morrissey (Bill) of Russellville, AR; grandchildren Chantee Jordan (Grant Holland) of Austin, TX, Carey Jordan (Mayce Deuel) of Schoenchen, KS, Kourtney (Skyler) Talkington of Ellis, KS; great grandchildren Samantha Rude, Jordan Holland, Hunter, Kymber and Briar Talkington; brother-in-law Jim (Charlene) Higgins, of Ness City; and sisters-in-law Milly Rumpel, Ontario, OR, Ida (John Meyeres) Bazine, KS.
Memorial contributions are suggested to Trego County Fair Board (Commercial Building Air Conditioning fund), Trego County Historical Society, Trego County Senior Center, Prairie Faith Parish Nurse Ministry, WaKeeney Eagles scholarship fund, or Angel Care Home Health. Donations may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 N 12th St. WaKeeney, Kansas, 67672.
Condolences may be left for the family by visiting www.schmittfuneral.com.