Hillarian Francis "Larry" Stegman

Hillarian Francis "Larry" Stegman

Born Dec. 3, 1937 to Raymond R. and Applonia (Stegman) Stegman in Offerle, Kansas, Larry left this life on November 6, 2024. He attended school in Offerle and Dodge City. From 1960-1962, he served our country in the Army, then in September 1962, he gladly returned to the family farm to work with his brother and father. On February 16, 1963, he married Joan Enslinger, and together they raised three children on the farm. Joan passed away in 2007.  On January 29, 2011,  he married Linda (Lightcap) Armstrong, and warmly welcomed her three daughters as family.

Larry loved life, and enjoyed almost everything (except eating green beans or mustard). A lifelong farmer, he took great joy in his farm, growing crops, fruit trees, gardens, cattle, pigs, and chickens, anxiously waiting for and sharing each year’s production. At a young age, and ever after, you could find him all over the farm, salt shaker in hand, picking tomatoes, cucumbers, mulberries, currants, plums, and chewing sugar cane and wheat kernels.

Larry never met a task he couldn’t manage, build or fix. He loved his woodworking, from miniature windmills, tables, and wishing wells, to sheds of all sizes. Pheasant hunting, playing cards, the casino, jigsaw puzzles, grandchildren and puppies could always bring a smile to his face. Larry had nicknames for everyone, and a smile and teasing for all, just like his dad and grandpa “Laha Joannes” before him.

He loved with his whole heart. Like Larry always said about others, can be said of him. “He was a good one”.

Survived by his cherished wife, Linda; his children Ray (Shawna) Stegman, Shawna (Ron) Thacker, Rick Stegman; stepdaughters Wendy Watson, Joy (Robert), Heidi Owens; grandchildren Dustin Thacker, Hillarie Delaney, Cody “Code Man” Thacker, Amber Craft, Tyler Stegman, Kahrie Qalo, Brenna Stegman; step grandchildren Janelle Bottelsen, Nicholas Odair, Skyler Odair, John Fabela, Chris Fabela, Alex Bills, Cody Owens; and many well loved cousins, nieces, nephews, and great grands.

Greeting him in heaven are his parents, his beloved wife Joan, and all of his siblings-Ann, Robert, Melvin, Delores, Lorraine, Elaine.

Rosary will be at 7 p.m. on Sunday, November 10, 2024 at St. Joseph Catholic Church.  A funeral mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, November 11, 2024 at St. Joseph Catholic Church and burial will follow in New St. Joseph Cemetery, Offerle.  Memorial donations can be made to the St. Joseph Church Window Project, in care of McKillip Funeral Home, Kinsley.