Gerald Wayne “Jerry” Freitag, age 81, of Vincent, Kansas, passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. He was born on October 16, 1944, in Hays, Kansas, to Lawrence “Pete” and Alice (Schmidt) Freitag, the first of three children.
He graduated from Hays High School in 1962 and married the love of his life, Carol (Schumacher), on July 27, 1964, in Munjor, Kansas.
Jerry was a working man through and through. He had a lifelong passion for horses and cars, raising some truly talented horses and taking pride in the craftsmanship and care he poured into everything he touched. Jerry was gifted in ways that can’t be taught and spent countless hours as a mechanic and machinist making sure his family always had what they needed. He could fix anything made of metal, anything with a motor, and was also skilled in the kitchen. There was very little he couldn’t repair, including his pride and joy: a fully restored 1956 Pink Cadillac.
Jerry worked on a custom cutting crew throughout junior high and high school, gaining the early hands-on experience that would shape the rest of his life. He spent time with the local John Deere dealership before moving into the oilfield, and eventually joined his uncle as co-owner of Howard & Jerry’s Service Center (Mobil, Vickers, and Sinclair) just off I70 and 8th and Vine in Hays. In the early 1990s, he worked for another uncle and eventually managed Farley’s Machine Shop in Russell, KS, until his semi retirement.
In their younger years, Jerry and Carol could often be found at a polka dance or leading a wedding march, always ready to join in the fun. In his later years, Jerry found great enjoyment in helping several local car dealerships by picking up and transporting vehicles. It gave him the chance to get behind the wheel of the newest models, a small but meaningful pleasure for someone who had spent a lifetime working with vehicles. He was able to stay connected to the world he loved, lending a hand wherever he could until the house fire in 2021, brought that chapter to a close.
As time went on and his body began to slow, he found comfort in simpler pleasures like watching The Cowboy Channel, keeping up with the world he loved, and, of course, pestering his wife in the way only he could. He was a member of Saint Boniface Catholic Church and Munjor Knights of Columbus.
With his wife of 61 years, Jerry raised four very independent children: Kevin Freitag (Shelly) of Glendale, AZ; Kelly Forell (Guy) of Victoria, KS; Kim Dreiling (Ted Wilkens) of Shawnee, KS; and Krista Freitag (Keith Young) of Glendora, CA. He took great pride in following the lives and accomplishments of his six grandchildren: Dustin Freitag (Kayla); Kourtney Ankrom (Donnie);Cody Forell (Kylee); Tyler Forell (Darian); Bailey Forell (Laramie Warren); and Brooks Dreiling. He was delighted to welcome seven great grandchildren: Gunner and Sawyer Freitag; Addison, Hattie, Ila, and Jae Forell; and Kade Ankrom.
is survived by all the above and by his loving sisters: Marilyn Dinkel (Ray) of Hays, KS; and Janice Augustine (Gary) of Wichita, KS; his brothers-in-law, Leon Schumacher (Stephanie) and Verlyn Schumacher, both of Hays, KS; and his sister in law, Patricia “Toots” Engel of Garland, TX. He also leaves behind numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews who will remember him with great affection.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Pete and Alice; and by his brothers and sisters in law, Celly Schumacher (Verlene); Robert Schumacher (Bernie); and Delbert Engel.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, February 28, 2026, at The Basilica of Saint Fidelis, 900 Cathedral Avenue, Victoria, Kansas. Burial will be in Saint Boniface Cemetery, 623 Vincent Avenue, Vincent, Kansas.
Visitation will be from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, and from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. Saturday, all at The Basilica of Saint Fidelis Victoria, Kansas. A Vigil Service and Rosary with the Munjor Knights of Columbus and the Vincent Christian Mothers will be at 7:00 p.m. Friday, at The Basilica of Saint Fidelis.
The family suggests memorials made payable to: Saint Boniface Catholic Church or Kansas Western Horseman’s Association, in care of Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary, 412 Main Street, Victoria, Kansas 67671.
Condolences can be emailed to clineschapels@gmail.com or left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com