Ernest J. “Ernie” Werth Sr., 82, Schoenchen, died Saturday, August 22, 2020 at HaysMed.
He was born November 27, 1937 in Schoenchen, the son of Frank and Lidwina (Tauscher) Werth.
On June 6, 1959 he was united in marriage to Marlys M. Martinson in Las Vegas, and they celebrated 61 years of marriage. He was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church. Ernie was a truck driver for R.C. Williams Trucking and Smith Sand Company, and he did everything from welding, driving a truck, machinist, carpenter, and was a huge success with the electrical harness for the Minute 1 and Minute 2 space capsule for Space 3 Industry.
He will always be remembered as a carpenter, helping his children and grandchildren build homes, and do any repairs, all to save money. He was a brilliant man when it came to numbers, there was no job he couldn’t do, and he helped many that were less fortunate. His philosophy was, “Don’t do something if ya can’t do it right, and don’t stop until it is done.”
He was the foreman and boss on every job, and starting all over to get things perfect always got his grandsons’ attention. His comfort was “Family”, and he loved his grandchildren with the biggest kisses and puckered lips. Ernie loved to cook and plan the entire Thanksgiving dinner with the finest turkey and stuffing. He was the leader of the pack, and everybody took a piece of this great man, whether it was a task at hand, or just to reminisce the good old days. We never knew the magnitude of his strength or where it came from until the end when held a cross from Jerusalem. It was his pain medicine as he clenched it tight in his hands, never to let go.
Survivors include his wife; Marlys of the home, a son; Ernest J. Werth, Jr. and wife Geralyn of Schoenchen, a daughter; Valerie Gabel and husband Ron of Schoenchen, four sisters; Laurine Werth of Hays, MaryAnn Rendt of Wichita, Genevieve Mendenhall of Hays, and Cheryl Kay Thomas of Hays, six grandchildren; Frank Werth and wife Deirdre of Hays, Daniel Werth and wife Christy of Schoenchen, Jenalyn Leiker and husband Nathan of Hays, Aaron Gabel and wife Colette of Lakeside, CA, Nathan Gabel and fiancée Kelli of Hays, and Anthony Gabel and girlfriend Samantha of Overland Park, 16 great grandchildren; Allyson Werth, Harley Werth, Olivia Werth, Bryce Werth, Aubrey Werth, Brett Werth, Ahnalyn Leiker, Rexton Leiker, Makailyn Leiker, Reylyn Leiker, Evelyn Gabel, James Gabel, Aurora Gabel, Emma Gabel, Lacey Gabel, and Brixon Gabel, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, six brothers; Robert, Francis Jr., Irvin Lee, Fred, Glen “Richard”, and Norman “Steve” Werth, and a sister; Lillian Graf.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 am on Saturday, August 29, 2020 at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Schoenchen, with Fr. Joshua Werth officiating. Inurnment will follow in St. Anthony Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10:00 am until service time on Saturday at the church. Memorials are suggested to Fresenius Kidney Care Dialysis Center, Hospice of HaysMed, or for family wishes, in care of Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home. Condolences and memories of Ernie may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com