Gaylord, KS - Robert L. Giese, 79, passed away Saturday, August 4, 2018 at SunPorch of Smith Center.
Robert was born November 9, 1938 on the family farm in Gaylord, KS, the son of Herman Jacob and Margaret (Dohe) Giese. He was born and raised on the same farm where his dad Herman was born and lived all his life. On April 10, 1980, he married Nadine Marie Frank in Smith Center, KS. Robert was a proud United States Navy Veteran serving from October 10, 1957 to December 22, 1961. While in the Navy, Robert was sent to radar school for 22 weeks at Treasure Island in San Francisco, CA. After radar school, he received his orders to report to the USS McKean DDR-784. He remained on the McKean for the remainder of his tour.
Robert was a past member of Christ Lutheran Church, Gaylord, and when the church closed in 1968, he then joined the American Lutheran Church in Smith Center. On March 11, 2012, he joined St. John Lutheran Church, Athol. Robert started teaching Sunday school at Christ Lutheran Church in 1954 and when he transferred to American Lutheran Church, he kept teaching until 2010 with over 56 combined years doing so. He and Nadine enjoyed going to church and singing together in the church choir. Robert was also a member of the American Legion, Smith Center.
Robert farmed the family farm his whole life where he raised cattle, wheat, milo, alfalfa and many other crops. In his younger years, he enjoyed helping his dad with the dairy cows. Robert enjoyed farming, but his family commented that his enjoyment in life were his hobbies. He and Nadine both loved to raise a big garden, go fishing and do woodworking together. They both were very talented woodworkers and made items for all their family over the years. Robert and Nadine didn't have children of their own; however, he loved his eleven nieces and nephews and treated them as his own. When his nieces and nephews were growing up he would tickle them under the chin until they couldn't breathe due to laughing so hard, which in turn got him in trouble with his sisters. He enjoyed it when his family would all get together. They would play horseshoes and on several occasions, he and his five sisters would all sing with either Dorothy, Carol or Lorena playing the piano.
Robert was preceded in death by his parents Herman and Margaret and an infant brother, Myron Giese.
He is survived by his wife Nadine Giese of Smith Center; five sisters, Dorothy (Dean) Seems of Gaylord, Marilyn McKenzie of Smith Center, Carol (James) Wolf of Gloucester, VA, Lorena (Howard) Stephens of Kensington, Joyce Giese of Hastings, NE; eleven nieces and nephews, Bruce Seems of Gaylord, Karen (Gary Haws) Loyd of Winfield, Brenda (Steve) Cochran of Winfield, Kelly McKenzie of Smith Center, Kim (Kevin Baetz) Hawkins of Smith Center, Jan (Tony) Henry of Salina, Jay (Penny) McKenzie of Smith Center, Tammy (Andy) Lane of Newport News, VA, Troy Wolf of King George, VA, David (Daylah) Stephens of Kensington, Dale Stephens of Kensington; thirteen great nieces and nephews and a host of other family and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, August 9, 2018 at St. John Lutheran Church, Athol, KS, with Pastor David Kramer officiating. Visitation will be held Wednesday, August 8, 2018 from 1:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at All Faiths Funeral Chapel, Smith Center and until service time Thursday at the church. Burial will be in Christ Lutheran Cemetery, Gaylord, KS with military honors. Memorials may be given to the Robert L. Giese Memorial Fund and sent in care of the funeral chapel.