Walter Dechant, 96, Hays, died on Tuesday, February 14, 2023 at HaysMed.
He was born on April 13, 1926 to Antonino, son of Joseph and Anna (Speier) Dechant. On September 30, 1947, he married Marie Antoinette Feltis in Hays, and they celebrated 64 years of marriage before she predeceased him in death on December 25, 2011. Walter was a farmer, owned and operated the Dechant Oil Company, and he loved his job as an oilfield pumper and producer. Its members included St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Schoenchen Third Degree Knights of Columbus Council No. 4166 and the Fourth Degree Assembly of Bishop Cunningham n. 282. He Loved bowling, playing in many card clubs and dancing with Marie, and the long journeys they took together.
Survivors include his son: Steven Dechant and wife Mary Kay of Hutchinson, three daughters: Debra Rippe of Aurora, CO, Judith Kisner and husband Mark of Sugar Land, TX, and Glori Dechant of Olathe, twelve grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and numerous grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Marie, son-in-law: Ron Rippe, grandson: Kenon Lane Rippe, three brothers: William, Gene and Richard Dechant, and seven sisters: Josephine Legleiter, Alice Legleiter, Marcella Zimmerman, Adeline Zimmerman, Eleanor King , Stella VonFeldt and Mabel Riedel.
The Christian Burial Mass will be held at 10:00 on Saturday 18 February 2023 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church with Fr. Richard Daise officiating. Burial will follow in the cemetery of San Giuseppe. Viewings will be 5-8pm Fridays and 9am-9.45am Saturdays, all at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home. The fourth degree Knights of Columbus will be honor guarding from 5:30pm to 6:30pm, a vigil will be at 6:30am, followed by a combined rosary of the third and fourth degree Knights of Columbus, each Friday at the funeral home.
Suggested memorials are St. Joseph’s Church or Thomas More Prep-Marian High School. Walter’s condolences and memories can be shared with his family at www.haysmemorial.com
