Donald Lawrence Streit died Friday night January 8, 2021, at the home of his daughter and son-in-law in Hays, KS.
Donald was born on August 24, 1939, in Tipton, KS. to Leo H. and Gertrude (Gasper) Streit. He graduated from Tipton High School in 1957 and from St. Mary's of the Plains in Dodge City, KS. with a BA in English.
On July 28, 1962, he married Vivian Carol “Tootsie” Bremmer in Tipton, KS. at Boniface Catholic Church.
Growing up, Don helped on the family farm. He loved to play baseball and after High School graduation, Don played for the Osborne Jr. League Team in 1957. A year or so later, he was given the opportunity to play on the first baseball team for St. Mary's of the Plains College. While in college, Don played both baseball and basketball. He also met his future bride there.
Don was a member of the St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Offerle, KS. Don would often lector in church, was an Eucharistic Minister, and accompanied his wife's organ playing by playing guitar. He was an active member of the St. Joseph's Word Working Group.
Don was very active in the Offerle Community by helping to organize the Offerle After Harvest Festival which introduced the area to Outhouse Races. Later he would help in the organization of the Offerle Days celebration using his voice to provide the attendants with activity updates, car show interviews, and numerous jokes. Don always had a joke – the quality of the joke was sometimes up for debate.
Don spent 45 years in the teaching profession in Ransom, Offerle, and Dodge City. He coached Jr. High and High School sports including volleyball, basketball, and track and field in the Kinsley-Offerle School District. Don supplemented his income while raising a family by working at the Offerle Co-op and Lumber Yard for several years. He enjoyed tinkering with small engines and eventually began his own lawn mower/small engine repair business. Don also did some radio announcing of area football games and lawn mower races.
Don is survived by his daughter Debbie and Terry Bottorf of Hays, KS., and sons Don and Alma Streit of San Antonio, TX., Dan and Karen Streit of Bonner Springs, KS., and David and Traci Streit of Edwardsville, KS., two sisters Arlene and Charles Steichen of Placentia, CA., and Norma Jean Hake of Beloit, KS., eight grandchildren and three great grandchildren. He was preceded by his parents, sister Shirley Streit, brothers Leon Streit and Edwin Streit.
Visitation will be 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, January 13, 2021, at McKillip's. Rosary will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday night at St. Joseph's Church, Offerle. Funeral Service will be at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, January 14, 2021, at St. Joseph's Church, Offerle
In lieu of flowers, the family suggest donations to St. Joseph's Catholic Church for Masses, Offerle Community Foundation, Word Working Group, or St. Jude's Children Hospital in care of McKillip Memorial Funeral Home, Kinsley.