Robert Huelsman

Robert Huelsman, 78, died March 26, 2022 at Hays, KS. He was born January 1, 1944, to Frank H. and Anna Marie (Feldt) Huelsman, in Colby, Ks. He attended Angelus and Grinnell schools and graduated in 1962.

When he was in high school, he worked as a farm hand and at the elevator. Later, he worked in Summit County, CO as a land surveyor. He took great pride in telling people that he helped lay out the ski runs in Keystone, Copper Mountain and Vail ski resorts. Later he moved his family to Aurora CO where he worked for the City of Aurora and he laid out the curb and gutter for the Aurora Mall and other city buildings. In 1981, he brought his family to Oakley where he and Janice owned and operated the Sears Catalog store until it was closed by Sears 11 years later. He then purchased Gene's OK Tire and ran it as an appliance and tire shop he named Hometown Tire and Appliance. In retirement, he enjoyed salvaging metals, gambling and traveling. Recently he enjoyed spending time with his coffee buddies at the Buffalo Bill Cultural Center each afternoon. He was a member of St. Joseph Church, 3rd and 4th Degree, Knights of Columbus, Oakley, Ks.

He married Janice (Hockersmith) Huelsman on July 15, 1967, at St. Joseph Church, Oakley, Ks. He is survived by his wife, Janice, of the home; their daughter, Lisa and husband Brad, Hays, KS; son, Randall and wife Cheryl, of Gardner, KS; 6 grandchildren; 2 step-grandchildren; 3 step-greatgrandchildren; brothers. Eugene, of Beloit, KS, Donald and wife Cheryl, of Grinnell, KS, and Sam, of Ft. Collins, CO; sisters, Francine and husband James Robben, Maxine, and husband Jerry Robben and Helen Carr, all of Oakley, KS

He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Anna Marie; nephews, Justin Robben and Mason Hockersmith; niece, Donna Jo Woofter; sister-in-law, Mary Lou Huelsman; brothers-in-law, Jerry Hockersmith, Harvey Hockersmith, Leroy Maier and Delbert Garrett.

Visitation is 5-7:00 p.m., with a Vigil at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, March 28, 2022, at Baalmann Mortuary, Oakley. Funeral Mass is 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 29, 2022, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Oakley, with burial in the church cemetery. Memorials may be made to St. Joseph Church and School and Knights of Columbus and sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 204, Oakley, KS 67748. For information or condolences visit www.baalmannmortuary.com