Gilbert F. Brungardt, 84, Hays, died Friday, April 4, 2025 at HaysMed.
He was born October 27, 1940 in Hays, the son of Bonaventure and Helen (Weber) Brungardt. In 1959, he graduated from Ellis High School, and on May 12, 1962, he was united in marriage to Lorraine Brungardt at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hays. Throughout high school, Gilbert lettered in football, basketball, and track. His love for sports continued during his time as a referee and umpire for various high school and junior college sports and long after when watching or attending sporting events. Gilbert worked for Allied Construction, was a bus driver for USD 489, and for over 20 years, he helped Lorraine with her daycare.
He was a devout Catholic, a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, the Ellis Third and Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, and was active in many parish activities including funeral dinners, extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, ushering, and teaching RCIA classes with Lorraine. Gilbert maintained a beautiful lawn and enjoyed reading, going to movies, dog sitting his grand dogs, and taking road trips which included driving all the way to and from Virginia to visit family. Most of all, he cherished gatherings with family and friends and was a loving husband, father, and granddad.
Survivors include his wife Lorraine of Hays, his son Darren Brungardt of Overland Park, two daughters, Tonya Orth and husband Marty of Urbandale, Iowa and Audra Brungardt of Hays, his grandson Matthew Orth and fiancé Theresa Li, one sister, Helen (Jeanie) Windholz and husband Francis of Victoria, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his daughter-in-law Rita Zavora Brungardt, four brothers, Edwin, Elmer, Sonny, and Anthony Brungardt and four sisters, Angie Kinderknecht, Anna Rita Weber, Clara Walters, and Esther Laws.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 am on Saturday, April 12, 2025 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church with Fr. Nick Parker officiating. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Friday and from 9:30 am until 10:15 on Saturday, all at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home. Recitation of the rosary will be at 6:00 pm, a parish vigil service will be at 6:30 pm, and a combined Third and Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus rosary will follow at 7:00 pm, all on Friday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church for the Unify, Beautify, Glorify campaign or for masses. Condolences and memories of Gilbert may be shared with his family at www.haysmemorial.com