Hank Gehrt

Ralph Henry “Hank” Gehrt, 97, of Alma, Kansas, died Saturday, January 30, 2021, at the Lexington Park Health and Rehab Center. He was a life-long member of the Alma community. Hank was born on February 19, 1923, in rural Alma, the son of Frank and Emma Richter Gehrt. He attended grade school at Hinerville School and graduated in 1942 from Alma High School. Hank worked on the family farm following high school and then in 1954 started working for Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in Topeka building tires. He retired after 27 years in 1981. After his retirement, Hank was a stockman on his farm. Hank was a member of the United Rubber Workers 307, the Kansas Farm Bureau and of St. John Lutheran Church in Alma. After playing football In high school, Hank enjoyed watching football, especially the Chiefs, the remainder of his life. Hank married Audria Geisler. They were later divorced. He then married Edna Elsie Wege on March 30, 1972, in Alma. She preceded him in death on October 5, 2001. Hank is survived by his daughter, Sandra Cuffel, of Topeka; his grandsons, Derrick Cuffel and Darren Cuffel (Jessica) both of Topeka; his great-grandsons, Sebastian, Skyler, Chase, and Koby; and his sister, Nora Jean Lietz, of Paxico. Hank was also preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, Norman, Arthur and Bernice Gehrt.. Private family funeral services will be held at 11:00 am, Thursday, February 4, 2021, at St John Lutheran Church in Alma and may be viewed via live stream at St. John Lutheran Facebook Live. A public graveside service will be held at 12:00 pm at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in McFarland, Kansas. Hank will lie-in-state, from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm, Wednesday, at the Campanella-Stewart Funeral Home at 207 Kansas Avenue in Alma. The family will not be present. Memorial contributions are suggested to St. John Lutheran Church, and may be sent in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be made at www.campanellastewart.com