Delbert J. Gareis

Delbert J. Gareis, 82, of rural Flush, Kansas, passed away, Saturday, December 6th, 2014, in Topeka, Kansas. Delbert was born August 13, 1932 near Flush Kansas, the son of John E. and Hilda M. (Umscheid) Gareis. He attended both grade school and high school at Flush, graduating in 1950. After high school he worked on the family farm and then enlisted into the US Army in 1954, serving two years, before his honorable discharge and returning home. He was a farmer-stockman his entire life, and also worked as a postal letter carrier for the Wamego Post Office from 1969 through 1996. Delbert was united in marriage to Marilyn Evans on January 16, 1965. They later divorced. He then married Cynthia “Cindy” Tahedl on August 10, 1985 in Hugo, Minnesota. He was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, a past member of the Knights of Columbus and the Rural Letter Carriers Association. Delbert enjoyed traveling with Cindy. Some of his favorite trips were to Blue Grass Festivals. He loved working the farm, tinkering and fixing things, having his dogs with him, and especially being with his family. Survivors include his wife Cindy, of the home; three daughters: Catherine Herber, Ellsworth, KS, Lynnette Bray (Barry), Mt. Pleasant, AR, Donna Stephenson (Todd), Sachse, TX; two step-daughters: Amy Leija (Alfred), Humble, TX, Sara Abercrombie (Maj. Tyler), Alexandria, VA; one step-son, Andrew Lindgren (Jennifer), Helena, AL; one sister, Mary Conklin (Kenneth), Littleton, CO; three grandchildren, and seven step-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by three brothers: Francis, George, and Johnny. Mass of Christian Burial for Mr. Gareis will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, December 10, 2014, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church of Flush, KS. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Delbert will lie in-state beginning at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 9th at the Stewart Funeral Home of Wamego, where a Rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m. with family greeting friends during visitation following the Rosary until 8:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Grace Hospice of Topeka, and may be left in care of the Stewart Funeral Home of Wamego, PO Box 48, 66547.