Virgil J. Deters, 83, of Baileyville, KS, died on Monday, September 4, 2023, at Bryan Medical Center West Campus in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Virgil was born on January 19, 1940 to Lawrence and Rachel (Rettele) Deters in Axtell. He was raised on the family farm north of Baileyville, attended Baileyville School thru the 8th grade and helped his father on the family farm. When he turned 18, he signed up for the US Army Reserve and was discharged on April 30, 1966 with the rank of E5. Virgil was proud of his service to his country. Virgil worked at Forgy Welding in Centralia, Kansas, from 1960-1962. In 1962 he moved to the farm, and started with a few dairy cows; expanding in 1973 to a large dairy operation. When not busy farming and raising stock, he drove an 18-wheeler for Fairview Express and Sure Crop, and at C J Foods he was a maintenance man. He sold and distributed McCurdy Seed, M & M Livestock products and Conklin Company products.

On December 28, 1961 he married Marilee Strathman at St. Michael- Catholic Church in Axtell. They enjoyed working and living on the farm operation they created; they semi-retired and moved into Baileyville in 2006. They raised nine children and celebrated 61 ½ years of marriage.

Virgil was a member of the Sacred Heart Church in Baileyville, where he was also a communion distributor. He served on the Marion Township Board, the Water District #2 and the B&B School Board USD 451. He ran the road grader for the Marion Township for numerous years. He was a member of the Baileyville Knights of Columbus; and held the office of president for St. Benedict Insurance Company.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Elmer Deters; five sisters, Audrey Feldkamp, Mary Ruhkamp, Karlene Ronnebaum, Elaine Duryea and Reva Deters; a grandchild, Travis Deters; and a daughter-in-law, Deborah Deters.

Survivors are his wife, Marilee of the home; his children, Keith (Jean) Deters of Seneca, Annette (Charlie) Koch of Baileyville, Eileen (Steve) Hazzard of Overland Park, KS, Thomas (Theresa) Deters of Seneca, Robert (Cheri) Deters of Seneca, John (Pamela) Deters of Baileyville, Glen Deters of Seneca, William (Amy) Deters of Onaga and Catherine Deters of Topeka; 30 grandchildren, and 33 great-grandchildren. He will be missed by seven siblings, Gilbert (Shirley) Deters of Centralia, Paul (Carol) Deters of Topeka, Rosann Huninghake of Seneca, Donald (Mary Jane) Deters of Axtell, Larry (Mary Ellen) Deters of Topeka, Mark (Dottie) Deters of Baileyville and Marceil (John) Bergman of Seneca.

A rosary will be prayed at 7 P.M. on Thursday, September 7, 2023 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Baileyville. The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 am on Friday, September 8, 2023 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Baileyville. The burial will be in the church cemetery.

Memorials may be given for the New Parish Hall Building Fund in Baileyville.
To express your sympathy and for more information visit www.lauerfuneralhome.com .