Floyd J. Gottschalk, 78, Hays, KS passed away Friday, March 11, 2016, at Via Christi Village in Hays, KS.
He was born January 27, 1938, in Hays, KS to Philip and Ludwina (Werth) Gottschalk. He was a graduate of St Joseph’s Military Academy and attended Benedictine College, Atchison, KS.

He married Mary Catherine Gross on April 18, 1960 in Hays, KS. He spent most of his life as a cattle and wheat farmer in Ellis and Rush County, KS. He was a member of St Mary’s Church, Ellis, KS and a 4th Degree member of St Mary’s Council Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed college sports being an avid fan of the Kansas Jayhawks Basketball and Nebraska Cornhusker’s Football.

Survivors include two sons of Ellis, KS, Bryan Gottschalk and wife, Sonya; Curtis Gottschalk and wife, Rose; five daughters, Brenda Klaus and husband, Bill, Hays; Cheryl Hertel and husband, Tom and Lynn Coleman and husband, Mark and Tammy Gee and husband, Tony all of Blue Springs, MO, and Jodi Smallwood and husband, Jim of Parker, CO; five brothers, Donald Gottschalk and wife, Theresa, Leon Gottschalk and wife, Dolores, all of Hays; Phil Gottschalk and wife, Bernadette, Edmond, OK; Fr David Gottschalk, OFM CAP, Colorado Springs, CO and Andy Gottschalk, Aurora, CO; two sisters, Sr. Donna Gottschalk, CSA, Fond du Lac, Wisc, and Raeann Suppes and husband, Charles, Marshall, MO; a sister-in-law, Nita Gottschalk, Hays, KS; and a brother-in-law, Ron Legleiter, Overland Park, KS. Twenty grandchildren, Shelby and Sidney Gottschalk; Jordan, Shaelyn and Carson Klaus; Samantha and Makenna Hertel; Holden and Hunter Gottschalk; Cody, Ian and Katie Coleman; Derick, Devin, Tyler, Nicholas and Addison Gee; Jayce, Adam and Ross Smallwood and one great-grandchild, Theodore Gee.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Catherine and son, Phillip Scott; his parents; five brothers, Fr Andrew Gottschalk, Vernon Gottschalk and wife, Jeanette; Ivan Gottschalk, Cecil Gottschalk and Stephen Gottschalk; and a sister, Helen Legleiter.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 pm, Tuesday, March 15, 2016 at St Mary’s Catholic Church, in Ellis with burial to follow in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be Monday 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm at St Mary’s Church and Tuesday 2:00 pm – 2:30 pm at Keithley Funeral Chapel 400 E. 17th Ellis, KS.

A combined Knights of Columbus rosary and parish vigil service will be 7:00 pm Monday at the church.

Floyd’s memorials are suggested to St. Mary’s Catholic Church or Via Christi Village of Hays, and may be sent in care of the funeral home.

Condolences may be left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or emailed to [email protected].