Judy (Polifka) Rohr-Flaherty, 86, Hays, died Wednesday, August 27, 2025, in Overland Park, Kansas.
She was born June 10, 1939, in Hays, Kansas, the daughter of Charles A. and Regina (Schmidt) Polifka. On June 3, 2006, she married John Flaherty in Pfeifer, Kansas. Judy graduated from Girls Catholic High School. She attended Fort Hays State University and was a graduate of Colorado School of Banking in Boulder, Colorado and the ABA National Truth-In-Lending Compliance School in Norman, Oklahoma. She was employed by Farmers State Bank of Hays and Commerce Bank, retiring as Vice President and Trust Officer after 38 years.
Judy was very active in the Hays area during her career and paved the way for numerous other women to become involved in the Hays Chamber of Commerce and Hays business communities. She was the first female Chamber of Commerce Ambassador, the first female to serve on the Chamber Board of Directors and the first female to be elected Chair of the Board. She was also a member and officer of the following organizations: Secretary of St. Anthony Hospital Board of Directors (before merger with Hadley Hospital), member of the Steering Committee for the merger of the two Hays hospitals, Treasurer of Hays Medical Center Board of Directors, President of Soroptimist International of Hays, Inc. (two separate terms), Treasurer of Sunflower Girl Scouts Council, Secretary of Cancer Council of Ellis County, and member of Leadership Hays Board of Directors. In addition to her full-time employment at Commerce Bank, Judy served as Director of Music for St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church for 15 years. It has been said that banking was her career, but music was her life.
Judy’s awards consisted of the Athena Award which is given to the outstanding business and professional woman of the year. Her most coveted award was being the first female to receive the Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame award. The Hall of Fame award is given to an individual in recognition of their longtime service to the Hays community.
In her later years, she enjoyed traveling with John, playing board games with family, and a variety of card games with her friends at Via Christi. She also cherished visits with her five grandchildren, seven step grandchildren, their spouses, and her five great grandchildren. Her final months were spent living closer to family where she was able to see her kids and their families more frequently.
Survivors include her daughter Jackie Mosher and husband Alan of Overland Park, her son Jeff Rohr and wife Tracy of Overland Park, her stepdaughter Shelly Keller and husband Travis of Hays, her stepsons Mike Flaherty and wife Angie of Derby and John P. Flaherty of Kansas City, grandchildren Michelle McCormick and husband Justin, Jonathan Mosher and wife Kelly, Madison Klimas and husband Joel, Mason Rohr and wife Ravyn, and Makenna Rohr, great grandchildren Charlie and Eli McCormick, Quinn, Sawyer and Rory Klimas, her step grandchildren Jordan Flaherty, Maddie Keller, Quinton Flaherty, Kaitlyn Flaherty, Camryn Flaherty, and Karlynn Flaherty, her sister Betty C. Schmeidler of Hays, her brother Fr. Charles Polifka, OFM Cap. of Wichita, and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband John, step grandson Tanner Starkey-Flaherty, and brother-in-law Kenny Schmeidler.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Friday, September 5, 2025 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church with Fr. Charles Polifka, OFM Cap. officiating. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Thursday and from 9:00 am until 9:45 on Friday, all at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home. A vigil service and rosary will be at 6:30 pm on Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to TMP Endowment or to the Capuchin Province of Mid-America, Inc. Condolences and memories of Judy may be shared with her family at www.haysmemorial.com