Louis Michael Felder, 100, of Hays, Kansas, passed away surrounded by his family on December 10, 2025, at Hays Medical Center. He was born October 30, 1925, in Hoisington, Kansas, to Andrew and Stephanna Felder. When Louis was 11, the family moved to a farm outside of Rush Center, and he attended schools in Olmitz, Rush Center, and LaCrosse.
Louis joined his father and two brothers in the family farming operation early in life. He later partnered with one of his brothers to farm throughout Kansas and eastern Colorado before establishing his own farming operation near WaKeeney. His dedication to conservation and stewardship of the land was recognized with multiple conservation awards throughout the years.
On May 1, 1951, Louis married Rosann Halbleib at St. Mary Catholic Church in McCracken, Kansas. Together they shared 73 years of marriage, raised five children, and built their family farm in Trego County, producing Hereford cattle and grain crops. Their farm was honored with a Century Farm Award, recognizing 100 or more years of continuous family ownership and operation of Kansas farmland.
In the 1960s, Louis established a file-sharpening business, sharpening and shipping files to body shops across the country. He was a lifetime member of Knights of Columbus Council 4113 and served on the Christ the King Catholic Church Parish Council. In 2000, Louis and Rosann moved into WaKeeney, where Louis continued farming alongside his sons.
Louis is survived by his children: Mike (Rita) Felder of Brownell; Paula (Steve) Clayton of Overland Park; Jean Webb (Bill McGovern) of Wichita; Mary Jo (Robert) Hafliger of WaKeeney; and Chris Felder of WaKeeney; and his sister-in-law, Judi Kingry of Canada. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Meghan Little, Kristin McCoy, Adrian Webb, Serena Barnard, Liza Randol, Kirk Hafliger, Stephanie Hommon, Travis Webb, Nick Felder, Jared Marmet, and Nathan Felder; 31 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Rosann Felder; his parents; his brothers, Joseph and Vernon Felder; and his sisters, Dorothy Felder, O.P., Bertha Johnsen, Pauline Oborny, and Marie Vondrachek. Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Monday, December 15, 2025, at Christ the King Catholic Church in WaKeeney. The Vigil service will begin at 6:00 p.m., followed by a rosary led by Knights of Columbus Council 4113.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at Christ the King Catholic Church in WaKeeney, with Father Fred Gatschet of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hays celebrating. Burial will follow at Christ the King Cemetery in WaKeeney.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Christ the King Knights of Columbus or a charity of the donor’s choice and may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th Street, WaKeeney, KS 67672.