Eugene Leonard Kleidosty died Saturday, November 23, 2019, at the Good Samaritan nursing home in Atwood, Kansas.
He was born November 6, 1926, at the George Jr. Sattler farmstead, five miles northwest of Herndon, Kansas, the son of Mike and Carrie (Sattler) Kleidosty. He attended the Stoney School, first through fourth grades and then went to St. Mary’s School in Herndon, fifth through eighth grades.
After eighth grade, Eugene, or Gener as he was fondly called by all his nieces and nephews, moved with his parents to the original John Kleidosty farm, which his parents had bought. Gene was a lifelong farmer and handyman. He raised wheat, alfalfa, hay and Hereford cattle. He retired from farming in 1982. He loved to garden and was known for raising large watermelons and cantaloupes.
On October 4, 2008, Gene made the decision to move to town. He could no longer take care of the farm. Gene began making coffee in the mornings at a gathering place for the citizens of Herndon. He also enjoyed making bird houses and bird feeding stations for anyone who wanted them. He loved playing cards with his family, especially sheeps head and pitch. He even learned to play train dominoes.
Gene is survived by his sister Eileen Portschy, of Herndon and nieces and nephews, Rita (Greg) Marintzer, Cheri Kastens and Dean (Deb) Portschy, all of Herndon, Joyce (Jim) Rich, of Arden, NC, Patsy Marintzer (Phil Timm) of Idalia, CO, Dianne Halam and Mike Halam, of California.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Mike and Carrie Kleidosty; sisters and brothers-in-law, Wilma and Doug Bobinmyer and Helen and Joe Halam; brother-in-law Virgil Pete Portschy; niece Carol Kompus and nephew Doug Bobinmyer.
Rosary will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, December 2, 2019, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Herndon followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. Inurnment will be at the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Herndon. Memorials are suggested to St. Mary’s Catholic Church or the Atwood Good Samaritan, in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or condolences visit www.baalmannmortuary.com