Jack Jay Kersenbrock, age 88, passed away on March 18, 2024, at Citizens Medical Center in Colby.

He was born on the family farm on Feb. 25, 1936, to Herman “Babe” and Olive (Metzler) Kersenbrock. He grew up on the farm, first attending country school and graduating from Colby High School. He attended Kansas State University for one year and then was drafted into the Army.

While stationed at Fort Devon in Massachusetts, he met Jane Emily Swayer, who would become his wife. He was stationed in the Philippines for a year and worked as a teletype interpreter. He also resumed his studies at the University of the Philippines. When he returned stateside, he married Jane on June 17, 1956. They celebrated 58 years of marriage before her death in June 2014. To this union they welcomed four children, Keith, Dwayne, Luann and Kris.

Jack finished his bachelor’s degree at Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina. He attended and graduated with his Master of Divinity from St. Paul School of Divinity in Boston, Mass. He attended and received his doctor of ministry from Phillips University in Enid, Okla. His life’s work was serving the Lord as a pastor of many churches in central and western Kansas for 60-plus years. He was a tremendous influence and is fondly remembered by many of his former parishioners.

Jack enjoyed playing cards (especially Pinocle), Yahtzee, and Cribbage. He loved visiting his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren wherever they were located. He always was willing to “do the cooking” when he would visit by paying for the meal. He was generous, kind, compassionate, and loving to everyone he met.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Herman “Babe” and Olive; his wife, Jane; his oldest son, Keith; and infant grandson, Jazz. He is survived by his children, Dwayne (Renae) of rural Hoxie, Luann Horchem (Gary) of rural Ransom, Kris Schulte (Mark) of rural Sedgwick, and Keith’s widow, Nancy Kersenbrock of Wichita. He had 10 grandchildren, Kyle Kersenbrock (Treasure) of Colby, Katie Watts (Nathan) of Conway, Ark., Angela Horchem (Matt McKenzie) of Tucson, Ariz., Jerod Horchem (Megan) of Ransom, Jennifer Costello (Micheal) of Wichita, David Schulte of Hays, Alex Schulte of Manhattan, Benjamin Schulte of rural Sedgwick, Erik Kersenbrock, and Ashlee Kersenbrock; and eight great-grandchildren.

The funeral will be held at the United Methodist Church in Colby on April 5, at 1 p.m. with Pastor Deb Harvey officiating. Friends and family will be received after the funeral in the Fellowship Hall of the Church.

Memorials may be made to the United Methodist Church Scholarship Fund in Norton, Kan., and sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or condolences, visit baalmannmortuary.com