Gaylene "Gay" Evelyn Rofkahr

Gaylene "Gay" Evelyn Rofkahr, 91, of Hanover, KS, passed away on October, 25, 2024, at the Hanover Hospital.

A visitation was held on Wednesday, October 30, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Hanover Mortuary.

A funeral service was held at 10 a.m., Thursday, October 31, at St. John's Catholic Church.  Father David Metz and Pastor Richard Coleman officiated.  Janet Fritschi was the organist.  Music included "In the Garden", "Amazing Grace" sung by Emily Dragastin, "Precious Lord" and "On Eagles Wings."

Burial followed in the church cemetery.

The pallbearers were Daiken, Braelen, Reiken and Lanxden Stallbaumer, Kadrick Cohorst, Brody and Ryder Sedlacek.

The honorary pallbearers were Madden Cohorst, Qeasten Stallbaumer, Paxton, Yates and Jagger Sedlacek, Owen and Robert Schlapkohl, Cooper and Eli White, Redmond Hilpert, Micah and Hudson Rofkahr, and Judah Torrentez.

Gay was born on November 14, 1932, in Lawrence, KS, to John and Hattie (Roper) Kennedy. She graduated from Liberty Memorial High School in 1951 in Lawrence, KS, and worked at the Lawrence Paper Company for 29 years.

Gay had a passion for her family, quilting, bridge and square dancing. At family gatherings, she could still “cut a rug!” She was a long-time member of Grace Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Lawrence, KS.

Preceding her in death are her parents; husbands, Robert “Bob” Gerard and Jerome Rofkahr; sister, Betty Ann (Leon) Sparks; brothers, Richard (Bev) Kennedy, Bernard (Bernice) Kennedy, Sr., Max Kennedy, and Joe (Betty) Kennedy.

Survivors include her daughters, Diana (Rick) Sedlacek, Hanover, and Vickie (Layne) Hilpert, Madison, AL; sons, Doyle (Teresa) Gerard, Venice, FL, Darrin (Karine) Gerard, Blue Springs, MO, Steve Rofkahr, Spring Hill, KS, and David (Michelle) Rofkahr, Springdale, AR; sister-in-law, Jackie Kennedy, Lawrence; fifteen grandchildren, Heather (Mark) Stallbaumer, Kami Cohorst, Coby (Krista) Sedlacek, Kelly (Thomas) Schlapkohl, Kristy (Caleb) Diederich, Nicole (Scott) Calkins, Jessica (Bill) White, Derrick Gerard, Katie (J) Watkins, Ryan Rofkahr, Nathan (Jenny) Rofkahr, Joel (Britni) Rofkahr, Rachel (Javier) Torrentez, Thomas (Kendall) Hilpert and Sarah Hilpert; and thirty-seven great-grandchildren, Daiken, Cadlee, Taeben, Braelen, Reiken, Lanxden, Einslee, Zaeylee, Qeasten and Ayklee Stallbaumer; Kadrick, Kennedy, and Madden Cohorst; Brody, Ryder, Paxton, Yates, Jagger, and Monroe Sedlacek; Owen and Robert Schlapkohl; Mason and Avery Diederich; Cooper, Eli, and Adelyn White; Delainy, Finnley, and Quinn Calkins; Haven Rofkahr; Redmond Hilpert; Micah, Hudson, and Hannah Rofkahr; Remi and Chloe Rofkahr; and Judah Torrentez.

A memorial fund has been established to St. John's Catholic School. Contributions may be sent in care of Hanover Mortuary c/o Kinsley Mortuary, PO Box 147, Marysville, KS 66508.