Lawrence A. “Larry” Dreiling, 65, Catharine, died Monday, April 5, 2021, at his home surrounded by his family.
He was born September 17, 1955, in Hays, the son of Lawrence J. “Larry” and Norma Jean (Urban) Dreiling. In 1973, he graduated from Hays High School. He was an oilfield pumper, owning and operating Larry Dreiling Pumping, and he invented and designed gauge sticks for oilfield tanks. On November 11, 1977, he was united in marriage to Glady J. Dorzweiler in Catharine, and they celebrated 20 years of marriage before she preceded him in death on October 24, 1997. On December 26, 2003, he was united in marriage to Anita (Kinderknecht) Fisher, and they celebrated 17 years of marriage. His memberships include St. Catherine Catholic Church, St. Catherine Third Degree Knights of Columbus Council #11687, where he was Past Grand Knight, and the Bishop Cunningham Assembly Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, where he was Past Faithful Navigator. He was an entrepreneur, a jack-of-all-trades, enjoyed woodworking, and he would easily manage multiple projects simultaneously. Larry was very welcoming, caring, and possessed a wonderful smile, knew people wherever he traveled, had an exceptional memory, and loved his family, especially his grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife Anita of Catharine, his father and mother-in-law: Leo and Viola Dorzweiler of Catharine, two sons: Matt Dreiling and wife Renee of Hays and Adam Fisher and wife Erica of Hays, five daughters: Joannie Kollman and husband Andy of Catharine, Shannon Dreiling and significant other Andrew Burkhart of Hays, Angie Dorzweiler and husband Steve of Salina, Laura Waldschmidt and husband Chris of Overland Park, and Paula Mattison and husband Brady of Shawnee, two brothers: Alex J. Dreiling and wife Shari and John J. Dreiling and wife Bonnie all of Hays, two sisters: Linda Pfannenstiel and husband A.J. of Hays, and Janie Dorzweiler of Catharine, 14 grandchildren: Kenneth Waldschmidt, Bryan Waldschmidt, Gracyn Dorzweiler, Leo Dorzweiler, Kenny Fisher, Joey Fisher, Coraline Mattison, Ethan Dreiling, Allison Dreiling, Madison Adams, Hayden Adams, Kaylee Kollman, Gladyn Kollman, and Zendai’ah Yarbrough, his brothers and sisters-in-law: Carol Schryer and husband Mark of Ellis, Dan Kinderknecht and wife Vicky of Chandler, AZ, Floyd Kinderknecht and wife Loretta of Ellis, Brian Kinderknecht and wife Silvia of Bracketville, TX, Dan Dorzweiler and wife Tammy of Hays, and Charlie Dorzweiler and wife Roxie of Catharine, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife: Glady, his father-in-law: Richard Kinderknecht, his mother-in-law: Anna Rita Weber, two brothers-in-law: Harold Dorzweiler and Leo Steven Dorzweiler, and a sister-in-law: Babs Kinderknecht.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Friday, April 9, 2021 at St. Catherine Catholic Church. Burial will follow in St. Catherine Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3:00 pm until 8:00 on Thursday at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home and from 8:30 am until service time on Friday at the church. The Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus will stand honor guard from 5:30 pm until 6:30, a vigil service will be at 6:30 pm, followed by a combined Third and Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus rosary, all on Thursday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Hospice of HaysMed, St. Catherine Cemetery Fund, or to the Harold Dorzweiler Cancer Fund. Condolences and memories of Larry may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com