Larry Schertz

Larry Fred Schertz, 75, of Monument, died Thursday, September 6, 2018, at the Logan County Hospital. He was born December 15, 1942, in Colby, Kansas, to Fred and Anna (Berry) Schertz. He attended Page City Schools until it closed and finished high school at Winona. He attended Fort Hays State University, where he performed in several plays and was known for breaking land speed records in his pink T-Bird. At Hays, Larry met and semi-successfully wooed his future wife, Vonna Yetter. After his father's heart attack, he left college to help run the farm. He and Vonna married on June 9, 1963, in Burr Oak, Kansas, where he became a member of the Burr Oak Christian Church. Larry and Vonna started their own farm and ranch southwest of Monument and have been running the Green Diamond Ranch ever since.

Larry’s passions were farming and family. He was an extremely hard worker and instilled this value on his kids and grandkids while working alongside them. Larry always made time for his immediate and extended family, earning him “favorite uncle” status with many nieces and nephews.

Larry served on the Logan County Farm Service Agency Committee; the Page City COOP Board; Farm Bureau, both locally and at the state level; the USD 274 board of education; and the Northwest Kansas Technical College board.

He was a pilot and loved to fly. He instilled the love of flying in the younger generation with plane rides and tales of his adventures. He also kept his riders on edge by occasionally uttering "oops" on final approach. Larry was a member of the Civil Air Patrol, where he searched for downed aircraft and taught students about civil service and flying. He built a hangar and maintained two runways in his pasture, so he could enjoy flying from his own farm.

Larry was fun-loving and generous. He loved to visit with friends, family, and strangers alike. In fact, after visiting with strangers in a restaurant, he often received Christmas cards from them for years to follow. He was always willing to help those going through difficult times and would give of his time or money without expecting anything in return. His sense of humor was unparalleled, and he would fill any lull in conversation with a funny story, mildly inappropriate joke, poem, or song that he made up in that moment.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers-in-law, Ron Stramel and Wayne Yetter.

He is survived by his wife, Vonna; children, Vicki (Pete) Ray of Edmond, Oklahoma, Russ Schertz of Omaha, Nebraska, and Angela (Rod) Stallbaumer of Basehor, Kansas; grandchildren, Monica Ray, Will and Emma Schertz, and Leah, Landon, and Lexi Stallbaumer; sister, Sharon Stramel of Colby, Kansas; brother, Steve (Dianne) Schertz of Page City, Kansas; and a host of nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

Visitation is 5-8:00 p.m. Monday, September 10, 2018, at Baalmann Mortuary, Oakley. Funeral Service is 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 11, 2018 at the Buffalo Bill Cultural Center, Oakley. Burial will follow in the Winona Cemetery. Memorials may be provided to the United Christian Church or Logan County Hospital, in care of Baalmann Mortuary, P.O. Box 204, Oakley, Kansas, 67748. For condolences or information visit www.baalmannmortuary.com.