Jon F. Kisner, age 83 of Hays, Kansas passed away on Thursday, September 25, 2025. He was born on September 27, 1941, in Abilene, Kansas to Fred 'Fritz' and Angela (Dreiling) Kisner. He married Barbara Kay (VonFeldt) on September 4, 1970, at Victoria, Kansas. She preceded him in death on September 21, 2020.
Jon was a social and adventurous youngster. As a toddler, he took numerous solo train rides from Abilene to visit family in other Kansas towns, like Chapman. He would ride his tricycle off the barn onto the haystacks below. According to a newspaper article, Jonny (3.5yrs old) & Frankie (6yrs old) were rough playing that landed them in the hospital with severe cuts from a glass sliding door, requiring 18 stitches to his arm. It was also rumored Jon and his buddies would throw farm eggs at his girl cousins (some who went on to become Nuns). Fun fact, his babysitter in Abilene was Ida; President Ike Eisenhower’s mother. Then, when Jon was about five years old, his family moved to Hays. Here he performed as a member in an acrobat trio at the Strand. The Kisner family lived in the Guard Block House at Old Fort Hays. While his father was the grounds caretaker, Jon would swim the watering holes recovering golf balls for his mom to resell in the clubhouse. They were the last family to live on Old Fort Hays.
Through some high school years, Jon managed the Hays Municipal swimming pool, where he taught many how to swim. In 1959, he graduated from Saint Joseph Military Academy, now Thomas Moore Prep High School. A veteran of the US Army, Jon was an SP4 in 25th Infantry Division, mostly stationed in Thailand and Hawaii. He was briefly stationed at Fort Leslie J McNair in Washington as a member of the Presidential Honor Guard where he earned both the opportunity to attend the US Military Academy Preparatory School for West Point and to honorably walk at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Although he declined both prestigious offers, he was honorably discharged in 1963 and awarded a Good Conduct Medal.
Ready to explore his new bachelor life, Jon bought a cabin in Estes Park, Colorado and soon purchased his first horse, Lady. Much manual labor was invested in his new retreat including building a Pot Belly stove for heat. Family and friends all came to stay, where they would be wholesomely entertained with Jons’ musical talents. During this time, Jon periodically visited his parents back in Hays. He would escort his mother to frequent live music events. As his entertaining bug grew stronger, Jon discovered his passion for Polka music. For the next 40 years, Jon was identified as a member of Eddie Basgall and His Jolly Dutchmen, he was described on an album cover as 'A triple talent entertainer with his singing, banjo playing and a flair for showmanship. Ballads and happy songs were Jon’s specialty. His rich baritone vocals enhanced the romantic mood of the group.' He also returned to work part time at the Hays swimming pool. While selling beach towels to a local liquor store, he came across his future wife (Barbara) who he married nine months later in Saint Fidelis Catholic Church, Victoria, Kansas 'The Cathedral of the Plains'.
Although Jon and Barbara began their future in Colorado, they soon moved to Victoria, Kansas for a number of years and began raising their three children. In 1980, Jon graduated from Fort Hays State University with a BA in General Studies. He also began his 36 year career as a lineman and foreman for Central Kansas Power, now Midwest Energy. In 1985, Jon secured their growing Kisner family 80 acres of land just north of Toulon where the family joined labor forces to build their settlement. Always an avid horse lover, Jon was eventually equipped to open the property to board and train horses including his own team of Belgians (Duke & Dolly). He loved to share this majestic team with the community by entering parades, hosting hayrack rides, chauffeuring wedding parties and sponsoring Christmas light tours through the Hays Country Club. His added craftsmanship was showcased thru repairing and building a number of harnesses, trailers, buggies and wagons.
Once the grandkids were born in Texas, Jon & Barbara moved to be closer to them for a few years, only to return to their roots in Hays in 2016. After 50 years of marriage, his wife Barbara passed and was reunited with her parents at St Fidelis Cemetery in Victoria. Jon remained in his Hays home and stayed active including meeting with his retired Midwest Energy coworkers for donuts, Military Academy classmates at McDonalds and horse boarding members sporadically. Jon was a member of the Victoria V.F.W. Post # 1751, and a member of Saint Joseph Catholic Church, Hays, Kansas.
Jon is survived by his children, Curtis Kisner and wife, Michelle, Fort Worth, TX; Tonya Kisner, Belton, MO; Simone Anderson, Fort Worth, TX; his grandchildren, Aubrianna Kisner; Cadence Anderson; Carmyn Anderson; his sister, Janell Newton and husband, Gary, Wichita, KS.
Jon is preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Angela Kisner; his wife, Barbara; his sister, Cynthia Karlin and her husband, Jerry.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, October 18, 2025, at The Basilica of Saint Fidelis, 900 Cathedral Ave, Victoria, Kansas, with Celebrant, Father Curtis Carlson O.F.M. Cap.
The family will receive friends from 9:00 to 10:00 A.M. Saturday, at the church. Inurnment with Military Honor Guard Rites by the Victoria V.F.W. Post #1751 will be in Saint Fidelis Cemetery, Victoria, Kansas.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials payable to The Sunflower Clydesdales in care of Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas. Condolences can be emailed to [email protected] or left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com.