Ronald LaVerne Insley of Hays, Kansas, passed away Saturday, January 18, 2025 at KU Medical Center in Kansas City surrounded by his loved ones. It was his 77th birthday.
Ron was born in Concordia, Kansas, on January 18, 1948, the son of Murl and Vivian (Hansen) Insley. His childhood was spent in nearby Miltonvale where he rode his bike with friends, climbed trees and jumped out of barn lofts–always hoping to fly, but too often ending up with a broken arm. He was free to have all the adventures he wanted as long as he returned home before the evening town whistle.
His family moved often during his high school years, but he spent his senior year at Hays High, graduating in 1966, along with his future wife Carolyn Gassner. They officially met two years later during a square dancing class at Fort Hays State.
Ron and Carolyn wed on June 27, 1970, and were married 54 years. They had three children: a daughter, Lisa Marie, a stillborn daughter, Holly Dawn, and a son, Matthew LaVerne. Ron was a constant presence at both of his children’s sports, music and school activities. He mourned Holly Dawn’s death until his own.
Ron worked as a maintenance technician at Travenol Laboratories, Hadley Hospital/Hays Med, Hussman Corporation, and the Hadley Center. He was known for his dedication to work, his ability to fix anything and his compressor-carrying strength. He was also a well-liked colleague who was always willing to share a cup of coffee.
Ron’s story was also one of survival. He overcame colon cancer in 1988 and then in 1992 he became just the fifty-first liver transplant patient at KU Med. During those challenging middle years, Ron’s Christian faith sustained him and his family. He remarkably recovered and always had a grateful heart for each extra day God granted him.
Those days were filled with joyful activity. He shared his love of Wilson Lake with his family and friends and they spent countless hours boating, water skiing, tubing and eating there. Even though he was an amazing water skier, he spent most of the time piloting the boat so that others could enjoy the lake.
Perhaps Ron’s most important trait was his servant heart. He led the high school youth group at North Oak Community Church as a volunteer for 15+ years, always eager to take them to a church conference, on a mission trip or for a skiing adventure. He was a warm mentoring presence for countless young people through the years. At home he served his family by whipping up delicious meals and working in the yard; his neighbors by clearing snow and fixing things and his community by using his boundless energy to help in any way that he could.
Always someone who enjoyed the simple pleasures of life, Ron tended and shared beautiful roses from his garden with his family and neighbors. He delighted in trains of all sizes, often setting up a model railroad around the Christmas tree. He loved dogs and always welcomed Rio and Lago to share part of his electric blanket. Ron had a sweet tooth, especially for salt-water taffy, licorice and chocolate-covered cherries.
Ron will be remembered as a devoted and loving husband, father, and grandfather. He cherished his three granddaughters, Tiffany, Corlyn, and Alayna. The girls remember always trying to be the first one awake so that they could cuddle with grandpa, ordering any breakfast they wanted in grandpa’s short-order kitchen, swinging for hours in the backyard as he pushed them tirelessly, sharing road trips across the country, and, most importantly, knowing that he unconditionally loved them.
Ron is survived by his wife, Carolyn; his daughter Lisa, her husband John and their three daughters; and his son Matthew and his wife Jennifer. He is also survived by his brother Rudi, his sister-in-law Donna and her husband Robert as well as nieces & nephews and grandnieces & nephews. He was preceded in death by his father Murl, his mother Vivian and daughter Holly Dawn.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 am on Saturday, January 25, 2025 at North Oak Community Church. Burial will follow in Fort Hays Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 7:00 on Friday and from 9:30 am until service time on Saturday, all at the church. Memorials are suggested to the North Oak Community Church youth group. Funeral services are in the care of Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, and condolences and memories of Ron may be left for his family at www.haysmemorial.com