WaKeeney – Lloyd Eugene Nilhas, 91 died Sunday, September 18, 2016 at the Trego County Long Term Care Facility in WaKeeney. Lloyd was born February 21, 1925 in rural Hodgeman County, the son of Frank and Hattie (Hendrickson) Nilhas. He was a farmer/rancher in Gove County until 1961 at which time he moved to Trego County to farm and ranch. He was baptized as a boy in the Church of Christ and later became a member of the Ogallah Christian Church.

On August 6, 1955 he married Ruth Ann Biehler at the First Methodist Church in Collyer, KS. He leaves behind Ruth Ann, his wife of 61 years. Other survivors include 2 sons, Steve Nilhas and wife Elena, Littleton, New Hampshire; John Nilhas and wife Vae, WaKeeney, Kansas; and 1 daughter Jill McReynolds and husband Jeff of Hays, Kansas; 6 grandchildren, Amy Lewis and husband Mike, Tyrel Nilhas and wife Breanne, Blake Nilhas and wife Erin,  Aaron Nilhas and fiance Sara Miller, Kaitlyn McReynolds and husband Lance Sauer, and Morgan Nilhas; 2 step grandchildren, Paula and Sofia Mendez-Sanchez; and 5 great grandchildren, Brenna Flax, Braden and Ryann Lewis, Adalyn and Aubree Nilhas. He was preceded in death by his parents; 3 sisters, Mabel Nilhas, Jessie Hunt, Mae Rasmussen; and 2 brothers Merle Nilhas and Ray Nilhas.

Lloyd was active in the Trego County community serving on numerous boards including the Trego County Board of Commissioners,  Kansas Livestock Association, Farm Bureau, and Ogallah School District Number 9. He was also active in his support of 4-H and FFA, and he was generous in his participation with many other community organizations. As a lifelong farmer and rancher, he was a visionary being one of the first area ranchers to introduce cross breeding, artificial insemination, and performance testing of his stock. He took great pride in his cow herd and could often be seen working on improving and upgrading their quality.

While his health prevented him from serving in World War II, he was a patriot in every sense of the word. He supported the war effort by leaving formal education after the 8th grade in order to work on his family’s farm while his brothers were sent into the war. Lloyd could always be counted on to lend a helping hand to his neighbors, friends, and complete strangers. He was a role model for his family as he worked to instill the values of honesty, hard work, and generosity. He was proud of the contributions he made to improve his community and enrich the lives of others. He lived the last years of his life at the Trego County Long Term Care Facility and was known for brightening the lives of the many residents and staff there with whom he shared bingo games, singing, and other activities. He will be greatly missed by all.

Family hosted memorial service will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, September 24, 2016, at Ogallah Christian Church. Inurnment will be in the Ogallah Cemetery.

Visitation will be Friday evening, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home in WaKeeney. Cremation was chosen.

The family suggests, IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, memorials be made to the Trego County Long Term Care Facility (TCLMH-LTC) or to the Ogallah Christian Church. Donations made to the organization may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th, WaKeeney, KS 67672.