William F. Rempel

William F. Rempel, 93, passed away Thursday, April 20, 2023, at Lone Tree Retirement Center, Meade, Kansas.

He was born December 19, 1929, in rural Meade, Kansas, the third of 13 children born to George and Marie (Friesen) Rempel. Will grew up on a farm southeast of Meade. He attended McNulty Grade School and graduated from Meade Bible Academy. Following graduation he attended one year at Tabor College in Hillsboro, Kansas. After his schooling, Will farmed for his Grandmother Friesen, went on the family custom wheat harvesting crew and did 1W voluntary service in Topeka. He also worked for Bartel Truck Service of Meade.

Will met his future wife, Alta, by sending a note with his sister to school to ask the teacher, Miss Beyler, for a date to the community concert in Dodge City. Will and Alta were married on November 22, 1958, at Protection, Kansas.

The newlyweds made their home in Meade, Kansas, for one year. They then moved to Protection, Kansas, where Will joined his brother-in-law, Victor Beyler, in partnership on the dairy farm.

Will and Alta were blessed with four children; Nola, Steve, Donna and DeAnn.

In his early years, Will enjoyed sports, riding horses and traveling. Will was a member of the Protection Mennonite Church, Protection, Kansas, filling various roles in the church. He enjoyed woodworking and made many Christmas gifts for his children and grandchildren.

Will sang in the Kansas Mennonite Mens Chorus and also the Protection Community Christmas cantata for over 50 years. A highlight for Will was traveling with the Kansas Mennonite Mens Chorus to Europe in the summer of 1999.

Will enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s activities and he and Alta were faithful supporters and fans.

In 1999, Will and Alta retired, sold the farm and moved into Protection. He kept busy mowing lawns and volunteering with other jobs in town. Will is remembered as a man of few words, his life example of honesty and integrity in all of his relationships spoke volumes.

He is survived by his wife, Alta of 64 years, children Nola (Derk) Hedlund of Montezuma, KS; Steve (Sandy) Rempel of Lenexa, KS; Donna Roulhac, Hesston, KS and DeAnn Rempel, of Ashland, KS.

Grandsons Brian (Ivana) Roulhac, Kevin (Lauren) Roulhac, Levi (Megan) Hedlund, Logan (Kelsey) Hedlund, Lane (Lexi) Hedlund, Garrett (Natalie) Rempel and Granddaughter Emily (Nolan) Daniel. Great-grandchildren; Bristyl, Ellie, Avery and Jonah Roulhac, Luke and Leah Hedlund, and Calvin and Jack Hedlund. Brothers: Ed (Katherine) Rempel and Walter Rempel, brother-in-law Dr. Howard Day; Sisters: Margaret Reimer, Marilyn Harms and Eileen (Burt) Kaufman, sisters-in-law Phyllis Rempel, Alvera (Wilmer)Thiessen, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death were his parents, George and Marie Rempel, brothers, Herman, John, Eldon, Pete and Donald, and sisters, Erma Kauffman and Helen Day.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, April 24, 2023, at the Emmanuel Mennonite Church Cemetery, rural Meade. Friends may call from 1:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Sunday with the family present from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Fidler-Orme-Bachman Mortuary, Meade.

Memorials to Lone Tree Retirement Center or Donors Choice in care of the funeral home.