Eugene Francis Vierthaler

Eugene "Gene" Francis Vierthaler, 96, of Wichita, KS passed away on Saturday, November 8, 2025. He was born to Frank and Helen Vierthaler on September 14, 1929 in Halstead, Kansas.
He met the love of his life, Leona "Nonie" Schoenecker at the grocery store where she worked in Mount Hope. She knew on the first date that he was the one, but didn't want to scare him away. They married-on Easter Sunday March 25, 1951 in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Eugene had enlisted in the United States Army and wanted his wife to travel with him during his military service. They lived in several places during his service time including Brooklyn, New York where he was working as a radar specialist. The training for the Army later became his career as a Radar Technician in the Federal Aviation Administration. He was stationed at the Naval Base outside Hutchinson. Gene and Nonie bought their dream home outside Haven which had a few acres he could farm, a couple of barns and a chicken coop. It was a perfect place to raise a young family and all the assorted dogs, cats, chickens, ducks and geese the family could care for.
In his spare time, he was an avid woodworker and built many pieces of furniture and lots of toys for family and friends. He also taught himself how to restore automobiles and was very successful creating a dune buggy which the kids enjoyed, restoring an older model VW bug and a Jeep truck.
Gene is survived by his wife of 74 years, Nonie, son Roger Vierthaler (Lisa), daughter Janice Dealy (Mike), son Dale Vierthaler (Kristy) and son Robert Vierthaler (Bonnie), grandchildren Gaylene Alderson (Joel), Erin Peterson (Trent), Angie Carrick (Robert), Nathan Robinson (Kaydee), Kristi Spence (Jessy), Kayla Rose, Jacob Rose, Devon Vierthaler, Vance Vierthaler, Ashley Vierthaler, Caitlyn Wayman, Addison Wayman, great grandchildren Cassidy Peterson, Brady Peterson, Benjamin Alderson, Thomas Alderson, Westin Carrick, Rory Carrick, Cooper Carrick, Jeremy Spence, Jonathan Spence, Jordan Spence, Olivia Querubin, Elliot Querubin, Karsyn Wayman and Gene's sister Louise Smith and many beloved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Leland.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, November 13, 2025 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Haven. Burial will follow at Laurel Cemetery, Haven. Family will greet friends from 5 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, November 12, at Ott Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul's Lutheran Church or Laurel Cemetery in care of Ott Funeral Home, PO Box 217, Haven, KS 67543.