Adolph J. Schmidt, 92, Hays, passed away on Monday, February 10, 2025.
He was born in Catharine, KS on April 8, 1932, to Adolph and Anna (Staab) Schmidt. He was a 1950 graduate of St. Joseph’s Military Academy and part of the last graduating class of SJMA Junior College in 1952. On May 21, 1960, he married DeAnn Leiker at St. Francis Church in Munjor, KS. He is survived by his wife of 64 years.
He proudly served in the Army during the Korean War as a Field First Sergeant at Ft. Riley, KS. He was Deputy Ellis County Treasurer, then Ellis County Treasurer. Adolph worked for Central Kansas Power Company/Midwest Energy as a Purchasing Manager for 35 years. He was a Sacristan at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, assisted with funerals, served at 6:45 mass for 28 years, and was a Eucharistic Minister for 28 years. He was a member of the American Legion Post 173 for 70 years(!), was a volunteer for 22 years at Hays Medical Center, and was a Knights of Columbus member, St. Mary’s Council. Adolph loved playing golf, going to coffee with friends, and watching KU, the Royals, and the Chiefs play. He cherished his time with his grandkids.
Survivors include his wife DeAnn of Hays, his son, Andy and wife Marie Schmidt of Olathe, KS, daughter, Joylene and husband John Kindel of Shawnee, KS, five grandchildren, Daniel and Kelsey Kindel of Maryville, TN, Meghan and Luke Smrt of Greenville, SC, Sam Schmidt of Kansas City, MO, Zoe and Cole Hutchins of Overland Park, KS, and Sophie Schmidt of Lawrence, KS, two great grandsons, Henry Fitz and William Finn Kindel of Maryville, TN, one brother, Gerald and wife Elaine Schmidt of Hays, and his sister-in-law Rosie Schmidt of Hays. Surviving in-laws are John Leiker of Lake Worth, FL, Alan Leiker of Hays, Ella Mueggenberg of Omaha, NE, Mark and wife Dora Leiker of Munjor, and Jane Leiker of Cedar Rapids, IA.
He is preceded in death by his parents, two daughters, infant daughter Katie and daughter Rachelle Schmidt, six brothers, infant brother Elmer and brothers Celestine, Herbert (Frances), Alfred (Esther), Emery (Shirley), Elmer, four sisters, Cyrilla (Maynard) Evans, Fidelia (Wilfred) Rome, Irene (Ray) Dinkel and Cora (Everett) Dortland, father and mother in-law, Henry and Regina (Kreutzer) Leiker, sisters-in-law, JoAnn (Ruder) Leiker, Janet (Joy) Leiker and brother-in-law, Daniel H. Leiker.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Monday, February 17, 2025 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church with Fr. Nick Parker officiating. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery with military honors by the Hays VFW Post #9076 Honor Guard. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Sunday and from 9:00 am until 9:45 on Monday, all at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home. A Daughters of Isabella rosary will be at 5:30 pm, and a vigil service will be at 6:30 pm followed by a Third Degree Knights of Columbus rosary, all on Sunday at the funeral home.
Memorials are suggested to Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church for the Unify, Beautify, Glorify Campaign or to the St. Thomas More Society at TMP-M High School. Condolences and memories of Adolph may be shared with his family at www.haysmemorial.com