Hays, Kansas – Alfred Geist, age 85, died Friday, January 9, 2015, at his home in Hays, Kansas.

He was born May 18, 1929 in Emmeram, Kansas to Nicholas and Lidwina (Kuhn) Geist.
He married Leona Marie (Herl) on May 23, 1950 in Hays, Kansas.  She died July 16, 2003.

He was a lifetime farmer, cattleman and horseman in Ellis county.  He was a Maintenance Supervisor for St. Joseph Church, St. Agnes Convent and Kennedy School for 60 years.  He also was the sexton at St. Joseph Cemetery Hays, Kansas.  He was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church and a past member of the Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren in sports and spending time with his family.  He enjoyed woodworking and carpentry.

Survivors include five sons, Gary Geist and wife, LouAnn, Tom Geist, Ron Geist, Paul Geist and wife, Jeanne, Dale Geist and wife, Monica R. all of Hays, KS;  four daughters, Mary Barnes and husband, John, Hays, KS; Jane Zeman and husband, Reggie, Schoenchen, KS; Roseann Gottschalk and husband, Curt, Ellis, KS; Linda Skillett, Vancouver, WA; four sisters, Melinda Lang and husband, Clarence, Alice Fisher and husband, Cyril, Alberta Pfannenstiel, all of Hays, KS; Albertine Rohleder and husband, Val, Abilene, KS; 26 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; twin sons, John and Paul Geist; one daughter, Mary Lou Geist; one grandson, Michael Barnes; one sister, Irene Windholz; two brothers-in-law, Marvin Pfannenstiel and Jerome Windholz.

Services are 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, January 14, 2015, at St. Joseph Catholic Church Hays, Kansas.  Burial in St. Joseph Cemetery Hays, Kansas.

A vigil service is at 7:00 P.M. Tuesday, at Cline’s Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601.  Visitation is from 6:00 to 9:00 P.M. Tuesday, and from 8:30 to 9:45 A.M. Wednesday, all at Cline’s Mortuary of Hays.  Memorial to St. Joseph Catholic Church Hays, Kansas.

Condolences can be sent via e-mail to [email protected].