Jerome "Jerry" Norbert Redeker

Jerome “Jerry” Norbert Redeker of rural Olpe died on Sunday, January 28, 2024, at Sunflower Care Legacy in Emporia, KS. He was 89.

Jerry was born September 29, 1934, in Olpe, Kansas, the son of John and Theresa Hagemann Redeker. He married Doris Kuhlmann on February 20, 1954, at Maydale. She died on February 21, 2023, in Olpe.

Surviving family members include sons, Gary (Debbie) Redeker, Abner (Angela) Redeker, and Kevin (Michelle) Redeker all of Olpe; daughters, Delores (Mike) Heins, Debbie (Dave) Cole, Connie (Gary) Stead, and Donna (Rich) Sleezer all of Olpe; grandchildren, Lori Bishop, BJ (Natasha) Heins, Jenna (John) Moyer, Julie Glass, Matt (Ashley) Redeker, Lee Redeker, Kyle (Dana) Cole, Jake (Heather) Cole, Megan (Andrew) Wiederholt, Trey Stead, Robert King, Wyatt (Kendra) Redeker, Wylie Redeker, Logan, Courtney and Carrie Sleezer, Dylan (Jenna) Redeker, Maddy and Colton Redeker; and sixteen great-grandchildren. Also surviving are sister-in-laws Barbara Redeker of Emporia, Dorothy Schmidt of Olpe, Betty Kuhlmann of Indiana; and brother-in-law Richard (Wilma) Kuhlmann of Emporia.

He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, and grandson Cody Cole; brothers Joseph, John, Louis, Leo, Leonard and an infant brother; sisters Mary Straight, Cecilia Falke, Veronica Redeker and Ann Dieker.

Jerry worked for Panhandle Eastern Pipeline in the Maintenance Department for 34 years, and at George Groh & Sons before that. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus in Olpe. Jerry was a hard worker, but he also had many hobbies, including gardening, fireworks, hunting, fishing, and playing cards. Sharing these hobbies with his children and grandchildren was what made him the happiest. He cherished spending time with family, and on any given Sunday evening, you would find his family gathered around him for quality evenings of eating, telling jokes, and catching up on the lives of those he loved so dearly.

Mass of Christian burial will be at 10:00 a.m., Monday, February 5, 2024, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Olpe with burial following at the St. Joseph Cemetery. The family will meet friends from 6:30 p.m. until the rosary at 7:00 p.m., Sunday February 4, 2024, at the church in Olpe. Memorial contributions to St. Joseph Parish Life Center, Knight of Columbus or Hand in Hand Hospice can be sent in care of Roberts Blue Barnett Funeral Home, PO Box 175, Emporia, KS 66801. You can leave online condolences at www.robertsblue.com.