TOPEKA — Roger Seth Gurtler, Osage City, died Monday, Jan. 17, 2022, at Stormont-Vail Hospital, Topeka. He was 86.
He was born Oct. 1, 1935, in Maple Hill, to Seth Loren and Fannie Lillian (Winsor) Gurtler. As a teen, he loved helping with haying and dairy cows on the farm. He loved rebuilding anything mechanical, especially tractors and old Chevrolets. He graduated from Dickinson County High School in 1953, and joined the United States Army, completing boot camp at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. He was proud to serve his country, and received the Good Conduct and Sharpshooter (Rifle) awards.
Roger received training as an auto repairman, which sparked the passion for his career. After the Army, he spent time working for Emenshoek Construction, Eskridge, and Shield’s Chevrolet Buick, Osage City. He also owned his own auto shop, Roger’s Garage, in Herrington. He spent most of his life being self-employed, making mechanical repairs, and doing body work and custom paint jobs.
He enjoyed restoring classic Chevrolets, riding his vintage Harley Davidson, and growing roses and tomatoes. He loved traveling, and that love allowed his children to see many sights across the country. He thoroughly enjoyed “going junkin,’” collecting all types of antiques, and he was always on the hunt for a new treasure. If you went junkin’ with him, he was hard to keep up with. He could move through an antique shop, estate sale or auction faster than lightening, searching for that treasure. He had a keen eye for what was valuable and what he wanted to add to his many collections.
Before joining the Army, Roger met and married Sonja Mowat, of Herrington. Together, they brought four children into the world, Teresa, Denise, David and Tami. They later divorced, and Sonja preceded him in death.
Roger later married Lois Ard, of Osage City, and they had one daughter, Amy. Lois and Roger spent their marriage together in Osage City. Lois survives.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Seth and Fannie; his ex-wife, Sonja; his brother-in-law, Don; and several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
Roger will lovingly be remembered by his wife of 52 years, Lois (Ard) Gurtler; five children, Teresa Shively (Robert), Eden, Wyo., Denise Gurtler, Tallahassee, Fla., David Gurtler, Fort Collins, Colo., Tami Gurtler, Missoula, Mont., and Amy Quaney (Duane), Burlingame; two sisters, Carol Kurtz (Don), Burlingame, and Sharon Holland (Virgil), Seattle, Wash.; one brother, Wendell “Pete” Gurtler (Shirley), Sheldon, Iowa; seven grandchildren, Grant (Lena), Danielle, Megan (Joe), Dillon, Anna (Matt), Dante and Seth; five great-grandchildren, Julia, Devon, Danika, Alexis and Charlotte; and many nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 24, at the Osage City Cemetery. The family will receive friends 1 to 2 p.m., prior to the service, at the VanArsdale Funeral Chapel, Osage City.
Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice that honors veterans, such as Wounded Warrior Project or Operation Honor Guard, or to an animal rescue or shelter, and sent in care of VanArsdale Funeral Services, 107 N. Sixth St., Osage City, KS 66523.
Condolences may be left at VanArsdaleFS.com.
