Roger Seth Gurtler

Roger Seth Gurtler, 86, of Osage City, Kansas, passed away on January 17, 2022. He passed away in Topeka, Kansas at Stormont-Vail Hospital.
Roger was born October 1, 1935 in Maple Hill, Kansas to Seth Loren Gurtler and Fannie Lillian (Winsor) Gurtler. He grew up with Sisters Carol Kurtz (Don), of Burlingame and Sharon Holland (Virgil), of Seattle, WA and brother Wendell "Pete" Gurtler (Shirley), of Sheldon, IA. As a teen, he loved spending his time helping with haying and dairy cows on the farm. He loved rebuilding anything mechanical especially tractors and old Chevrolets. He graduated in 1953 from Dickinson County High School. After High School, he joined the US Army, he completed boot camp at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. He was proud to serve his country; he received the Good Conduct and Sharpshooter (Rifle) awards. He received training as an Auto Repairman and this sparked his passion for his career. After the service he spent time working for Emenshoek Construction in Eskridge, Shield’s Chevrolet Buick in Osage City and also owning his auto shop in Herrington known as Roger’s Garage. He spent most of his life, being self-employed, making mechanical repairs, as well as doing body work and custom paint on client’s vehicles.
He loved restoring classic Chevrolets, riding his vintage Harley Davidson, growing roses and tomatoes. He loved travelling and that love, allowed his children to see many sights, across the country. He thoroughly enjoyed “going junkin” he collected all types of antiques, and 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 thru an antique shop, estate sale, 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 US Army, he meet his wife, Sonja Mowat, of Herrington and together, they brought 4 children into the world, Teresa Gurtler-Shively (Robert) of Eden, Wyoming, Denise Gurtler of Tallahassee, Florida, David Gurtler of Fort Collins, Colorado and Tami Gurtler of Missoula, Montana. They later divorced and she preceded him in death.
He then joined in marriage to Lois Ard of Osage City. Together they brought one daughter into this world, Amy Gurtler-Quaney (Duane) of Burlingame. Lois survives Roger and they spent their long marriage together, in Osage City.
Preceding Roger in death are his parents Seth and Fannie, ex-wife Sonja, brother-in-law Don, several Aunts, Uncles, Nieces and Nephew.
Roger is lovingly remembered by his wife of 52 years, Lois Ard-Gurtler; five children Teresa (Robert), Denise, David, Tami and Amy (Duane); sisters Carol (Don) and Sharon (Virgil); brother Pete (Shirley); 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 are scheduled for 2:00 P.M., Monday, January 24, 2022 at the Osage City Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1:00 P.M. until 2:00 P.M. Monday at the VanArsdale Funeral Chapel In Osage City. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice that honors Veterans such as Wounded Warrior Project, Operation Honor Guard or your local Animal Shelter or Rescue and sent in care of the funeral chapel. Condolences may be expressed at vanarsdalefs.com.