Gilbert John Krier, 95, of Ashland, Kansas passed from this life on July 6, 2022. He was born July 3, 1927, in Olpe, Kansas. Gilbert was a twin and one of seven boys born to Lawrence and Josephine (Fladung) Krier.
At the age of 17, Gilbert joined the Merchant Marines until he could officially enlist in the US Marine Corp. He proudly served during WWII and received an Honorable Discharge in 1946. He returned to Kansas and worked for the Santa Fe Railroad. He earned his GED and attended one semester at Kansas State University. In 1948 he met Mary Lael Lincoln, and they later married on September 8, 1949. Gilbert and Mary moved to the Ashland area in 1952. He worked various jobs as a ranch hand and in the oil fields before settling on the Glen Ranch in 1960, where he continued to reside at the time of his death. Gilbert never fully retired and was a rancher until the day he died.
Earlier in life, Gilbert enjoyed participating in calf roping and attending various rodeo events. He liked golfing, camping, and boating. Gilbert followed the Ashland High School Bluejays and enjoyed attending his children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events and activities. Gilbert was a big fan of the KSU Wildcats and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
Gilbert was a quiet man with strong convictions to his faith, his passion of ranching, and most importantly, his family. He loved by action and all those that knew him will miss him.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his infant twin brother, Robert George; his brothers, Harold, Larry, Charles and Walter; his daughter, Barbara S. Hrencher; his daughter in law, Michele Krier; step-grandson, Bradley C Heyka; and the love of his life, his wife of 49 years, Mary, who he lost in 1998.
Surviving children are Debi Krier, Colorado Springs, CO; Mary Jo and Larry Heyka, Manhattan, KS; (Robert) George Krier II, Ashland; Nancy and Eric Finley, Coffeyville, KS, and Jeff and Katrina Krier, Ashland. Gilbert was blessed with sixteen grandchildren, twenty-one great grandchildren, and most recently a new great great granddaughter. He is also survived by his brother, Jerry and Pat Krier, Ashland; Brother-in-law Robert and Sheila Lincoln, Emporia, KS, and many nieces and nephews.
Gilbert was community minded and an active member of the VFW, Knights of Columbus, the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, and a lifelong Board Member of the Pioneer-Krier Museum. In 2016 Gilbert won the Ashland Chamber of Commerce Legacy Award. In 2021, Gilbert was inducted into the Kansas Cowboy Hall of Fame.