Donald Dean Ginther, 86, of Luray, Kansas, died surrounded by his family, on Friday, June 16, 2023, at the Russell Regional Hospital in Russell, Kansas.
Donald was born on February 09, 1937, in Russell, Kansas, the son of Alex S. and Helen Arlene (Schmidt) Ginther. He grew up in Russell and graduated from Russell High School in the class of 1955. He joined the United States National Guard, serving his country for several years. He met, fell in love, and was united in marriage to Simone Marie Urban on February 04, 1961, at the St. John Lutheran Church in Russell, Kansas. From this union Donald and Simone was blessed with 6 children Tom, Kathy, Marlene, Joyce, Donna and Kenneth. He worked as a farmer and rancher and loved tending to his farm and being outdoors. He was a lifelong member of St. John Lutheran Church in Russell. He was a member of the Waldo Volunteer Fire Department, the Natoma, Paradise and Waldo School Board and Waldo Township Board. He enjoyed fishing, farm animals, University of Kansas Basketball and Kansas City Chiefs football. Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family and many grandchildren.
Surviving family include his wife of 62 years, Simone of the home; son Tom Ginther (Theresa) of Luray, Kansas; daughters Kathy Moravek (John) of Hays, Kansas, Marlene Miller (Mike) of Canton-Galva, Kansas, Joyce Webb (Russell) of Minneapolis, Kansas and Donna Dirks (Eric) of Lorraine, Kansas; brothers Milt Ginther and Glenn Ginther (Daisy) all of Russell, Kansas; sister Elnora Boatright (Bob) of Lawrence, Kansas; numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, infant son Kenneth Ginther, brothers Dwain and Allen Ginther.
A celebration of Donald’s life will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, June 23, 2023, at the St. John Lutheran Church in Russell, Kansas. Burial will follow at the St. John Lutheran Cemetery in Russell. Visitation will be from 9 A.M. to 8 P.M. Thursday June 22, 2023, at the mortuary with family greeting guests from 6 P.M. to 7 P.M. Thursday evening. In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to the Waldo Fire Department #3 or Amherst Church and sent in care of the mortuary. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.