Jerry Hutfles 1928-2021
Gerald ‘Jerry’ Joseph Hutfles of Colby, age 93, passed away July 9, 2021, at the Prairie Senior Living Complex in Colby.
He was born on Jan. 30, 1928, at his family home in Herndon, to Frank and Mary Hutfles. As a young man, he farmed and raised cattle. Jerry loved to work with his hands; building, masonry and carpentry. In his free time, he played baseball on the Herndon team.
Following his high school graduation, Jerry served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. After his military discharge, he met and married Darline Arnold. They were married for 63 years and have nine children.
Jerry worked at several different jobs before starting his own business, Hutfles Excavation. For many years he was involved in municipal, commercial and residential projects throughout the Colby area.
Jerry never really retired, but in later years changed hats, occasionally helping his sons on their projects and managing his rental properties. He was known for his abundant vegetable garden and sharing it with others. He was a patriotic veteran who loved his family, music, dancing, watching sports and eating sweet desserts. Jerry was a life-long learner and an observer of nature. He was best known for his compassion and generosity to others.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Mary; wife Darline; son-in-law Rob Boardman; brothers Arnold Hutfles, Eugene Hutfles and Roger Hutfles; and sister Sylvia Sattler.
He is survived by children, Mary (Rick) of Helena, Mont., Bob (Patty) of Dillon, Mont., Ron (Dena) Hutfles of Salina, Tim (Amy) of Colby, Gerrianne (Alan) Bray of Calgary, Canada, Annette Boardman of Topeka, Jackie (Roger) McAsey of Holton, Richard (Amy) Hutfles of Kechi and Larry (Cindy) of Wichita; four siblings, Alvin Hutfles, Larned, Marge Mowry, Colby, Marilyn Weisphal, Atwood, and Angela (Dick) Rosebrough, Meriden; 30 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren and a great-great grandchild, along with many brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, July 16 at Baalmann Mortuary in Colby, with vigil and rosary beginning at 7 p.m. Funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 17 at Sacred Heart Church in Colby.
The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff at Prairie Senior Living Complex for their kind and compassionate care given to their father. The family suggests memorials to Sacred Heart Church in Gerald’s name, in care of the Baalmann Mortuary, Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or condolences, go to www.baalmannmortuary.com
(PAID OBITUARY)
