Larry Dean Michaelis was born Feb. 10, 1943, to Henry LeRoy Michaelis and Bessie May (McNinch) Michaelis at Ransom.

He died Sept. 19, 2008, due to a farming accident at the family farm.

He was preceded in death by his father, LeRoy Michaelis, and his grandparents, Henry and Pauline (Reuber) Michaelis and George and Clara (Rogers) McNinch.

Larry grew up on the family farm east of Utica, where he attended Utica Grade School and Utica High School. He attended Fort Hays Kansas State College, graduating with a bachelor of arts degree in industrial arts. He taught for several years at Utica High School and then began farming, which he continued for the rest of his life.

For more than 30 years, he was very involved with the Lions Club. He served in several state offices before becoming district governor of district 17-SW. He received many awards most recently the Claude DeVorss Humanitarian Award for contributions to Lionism. He was involved in numerous projects, one of which involved the collection of eyeglasses for the Kansas Lions Sight Foundation.

Larry also was involved with Relay for Life serving as the Lions team captain since its beginning in Ness County. The Sons of the American Legion had a special place in his heart, and he was a faithful member for many years.

Larry met Pat Richards at a singles’ club and they spent many happy years going to dances and other functions. Larry and Pat were married Aug. 31, 2007, at her home in Hays. They spent many happy times together and had just celebrated their first anniversary.

He will be missed by his family, relatives, and many friends, and all whose lives he touched.

Larry is survived by his wife, Pat of Hays; his mother, Bessie Michaelis of Peabody; one son, Ronald Michaelis of Topeka; three daughters, Valerie Williams and husband Nathan of Lebanon, Mo., Kimberly Madsen and husband Derek of Newton, and Natalie Martin and husband Brian of Norman, Okla.; one step-son, Len Mize and wife Krista of Arvada, Colo.; one step-daughter, Machele Dunagan and husband Greg of Henderson, Nev.; two sisters, Wilma Broyles of Logan, and Sharon Oursler and husband Frank, of Peabody; a granddaughter, Michaela Williams of Lebanon, Mo.; two step-grandsons, Alex and John Mize, and one step-granddaughter, Laurel Mize of Arvada, Colo.; numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, cousins, and a host of friends.

—paid obituary