Roger Ausmus

Roger Wayne Ausmus went to be with the Lord on November 16, 2018 at the Logan County Hospital in Oakley. He was born April 15, 1939 in Holcomb, KS in their home to Fred and Anna (Hadley) Ausmus.

Roger attended school in Garden City, Russell Springs and Winona, but had to drop out his senior year to help run the farm after his mother had a heart attack. He married Margie Denning on June 6, 1959.

He helped his father run his feed yard and farm from the age of 9. His parents encouraged him to start living his dreams, so he drove cattle truck for Earl & Bob Gates. In 1966, Roger and Margie went to Topeka in a thundersnow to purchase Gates’ trucking authority. He trucked for Les Keller (late, 2015) and many others hauling cattle, grain, hay, and other commodities. In 1974 he ordered a new Freightliner Cabover. Ausmus and Son, Incorporated was formed in 1978 and he dispatched Glen Repshire, Larry Thacker, Terry Thrasher and others.

Roger was an honest, hardworking farmer and truck driver known by everyone in the area. He was a jack of all trades and enjoyed helping Dewey Council, Jr. (late, 2000) with his carpentry. He spent many hours with Bob Bartell (late, 2001) visiting and mechanicing. Ernie Denning (late, 1991) spent his vacation helping Roger with wheat harvest. He mentored many nephews, friends, and grandsons. If Roger told you something, then it was true. He said, “If you aren’t going to tell the truth, don’t tell me anything.”

At the same time they were in Topeka buying the trucking authority Margie went to file for adoption and at Christmas time they had their Christmas Angel, Melissa. Immediately they put in for another adoption and July 1968 they had a happy sweet baby boy, Randy. Five months later Marge found out she was pregnant, and Michele was born in March 1970.

He was preceded in death by his parents: an infant son; brothers Glen, Al and Richard and sisters Dorothy Peitz and Norma Straub.

He is survived by his wife, Margie, of the home; children Melissa (Eugene) Haffner, Overland Park, KS, Randy Ausmus, Phoenix, AZ and Michele (Larry) Werth, Brewster, KS; sister, Beth Lamb-Duff; grandchildren, Wyatt (Alexis) Werth and Layton Werth and Chase, Caden and Cole Haffner and great grandchildren, Brenna and Everly Werth and Maycee Williams.

Roger was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Oakley, then WaKeeney. He served on the Winona City Council. Roger loved KU Basketball, his family and children.

Visitation is 5-7:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 20, 2018, at the Winona United Methodist Church and 9:00am until service on Wednesday. Funeral Service is 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, November 21, 2018, also at the church. Interment will take place at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 21, 2018 at St. Joseph Cemetery, Oakley. Memorials are suggested to Winona Chamber of Commerce or Logan County EMS -Winona in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 204, Oakley, KS 67748. For condolences or information visit www.baalmannmortuary.com