Richard Lee Shimanek, 84, of Leoti, passed away tragically on Dec. 16, 2021 from injuries he incurred while trying to save his house and farm from a prairie fire.
Richard was born and raised on a wheat farm near Hennessey, Okla., where he lived with his eight siblings and learned the value of hard work. He played football for Hennessey High School where he was an all-conference guard and carried on his school spirit by teaching the school fight song to his kids and grandkids.
He was drafted into the United States Army and served as a radio operator and was chosen to be on the rifle team. Richard worked multiple jobs in the oil and gas business and custom harvested for 19 years.
He married his beautiful bride Mary Peggy Brenny on Nov. 26, 1964 at St Joseph’s in Hennessey, Okla. Richard and Mary Peggy settled in Kansas where they dedicated Richard’s last 44 years to raising a family and farming.
Richard had an infectious smile and laugh. He talked to everyone he encountered (sometimes in Czech). He loved his family and friends fiercely and would travel many hours to be near them. He was a great storyteller, hard worker and was always fixing something. His generous heart was always reaching out to those in need, even if it was a stranger on a street corner.
He loved elk hunting and trout fishing in Colorado and spent many summers camping and boating with his family. Richard was a Wichita County Commissioner, baseball coach, 4-H tractor instructor and avid gun collector.
Richard is survived by his wife Mary Peggy, four children Melinda Shimanek Shively (Tim), Aurora, Colo., Melissa Shimanek Ginther (Doug), Hays, Brian Shimanek (Kristin), Montgomery, Texas and Chris Shimanek (Erin), Boca Raton, Fla., 13 grandchildren, Madi, Drew, Grant, Hailey, Kenton, Grace, MaKayla, MaKenna, Allie, Gabe, Noah, Emmett and Sammie, and four siblings Bernie Shimanek, Jim Shimanek, Rose Ann Shimanek Schovanec, and Danny Shimanek. Richard was preceded in death by his parents Bunk and Fannie Shimanek, his brothers Ernie and Steve Shimanek and sisters Alice Shimanek Jones and Betty Shimanek Hudson.
The family will have a viewing at Price & Sons Funeral Home in Leoti from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., a vigil and Rosary on Dec. 27 at 7 p.m. at St. Anthony’s in Leoti, followed by his funeral on Dec. 28 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Anthony’s.
There will be a luncheon at St. Anthony’s hall immediately following the burial.
To watch a livestream of the Vigil and Funeral Mass, please use the following link: https://m.facebook.com/Western-Kansas-Catholic-108601367460773/