Francis Hurst

Francis A. Hurst, 91, of rural Rawlins County, died Wednesday, August 1, 2018, at Rawlins County Health Center in Atwood, Kansas. He was born November 24, 1926, to Aubra John Hurst and Hazel Ione (Riblett) Hurst at their home, near Achilles, Kansas.

He was the eighth of ten children in his family. Francis grew up on the family farm and started driving the tractor at the age of 10. He attended grade school at the Achilles School where he was on the Champion Basketball Team coached by John “Jack” Bearley. Francis attended High School in Atwood and Oberlin, Kansas.

Francis farmed with his Dad until 1944 when he was drafted into the Army during World War II. His Basic Training started at Fort Houston, Texas and was completed at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. He was then sent to the Aleutian Islands where he studied to become an Army Medic. After finishing his schooling, Francis was sent to work at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington D.C. for the next two years. The highlight of his Army career was taking the wounded soldiers to a Tea Party on the front lawn of the White House where he got to shake hands with President Truman. After receiving a World War II Victory Medal and an Honorable Discharge on July 7, 1947, he came back home to continue farming.

Three years later, he met a local school teacher from Texas, Florine Gregg. They were married on November 22, 1950, and made their home on the Hurst farm. To this union was born two daughters, Dianna and Donna, and two sons, Aubra and Sylvester.

Francis was a farmer, rancher, electrician and custom farmer. He loved being on the tractor working the ground. He was a member of the United Methodist Church where he was on various committees, taught Sunday School and hardly ever missed going to church until he became ill with COPD. He was also a member of VFW and helped out in 4-H, which the family all enjoyed.

Francis was preceded in death by his parents Aubra and Hazel Hurst, wife Florine Hurst, brother Johnny Hurst, and sisters Nellie Hurst, Euella Erickson, Nora Bearley, and Pauline Olsen.

He is survived by his four children: Dianna (Gary) Kastens of Atwood, Kansas, Donna (Brent) Phelps of Houston, Texas, Aubra (Jodi) Hurst of Colby, Kansas, and Sylvester (Lynda) Hurst of Atwood, Kansas; one brother, Don Hurst of Hays, Kansas; three sisters, Florine Vernon of Oberlin, Kansas, Betty Beckley of Colby, Kansas, and Shirley Most of Russell, Kansas; twelve grandchildren; and twenty-seven great-grandchildren.

The funeral service is 2:00 p.m. August 6, 2018, at the United Methodist Church in Atwood with burial at Achilles Cemetery, rural Rawlins County, KS. Memorials may be given to the American Legion Sam Hubbard Post #46, in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701, to buy medical equipment that will be shared with the community. For condolences or information visit www.baalmannmortuary.com