Christopher “Chris” Elias, age 96, of Atchison, Kansas, died Thursday, March 7, 2024, at Mosaic Life Care.

Mass of Christian burial will be Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at 12:00 Noon at St. Joseph Church with Rev. Jeremy Heppler, OSB as celebrant. He will be laid to rest in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. A parish and Knights of Columbus rosary will be recited on Tuesday, March 12 at 11:00 A. M. at the church with visitation to follow. Memorials are suggested to St. Benedict Catholic School, Kansas Right to Life, the American Cancer Society or Unbound International Non-Profit for Children & the Aging, in care of the Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home.

Chris was born June 22, 1927, in Atchison, Kansas, the son of Christopher C. Elias, Sr., and Dorothy Roth Elias. He grew up in Standard, Alberta, Canada and helped on the family farm for several years. He was inducted in the United States Army on October 18,1950, stationed primarily in Germany and faithfully served his country until his honorable discharge on October 10, 1952.

Throughout his life, Chris practiced an exemplary work ethic, valuing punctuality and a job done right. His most recent employment was with American Exterminators for twenty years until he retired at age 90. He was a Kansas State Grain Inspector for 10 years, Groundskeeper at Maur Hill Prep, Custodial Services at Benedictine College and USD #409, Atchison, and worked at Kramer- Manufacturing in Leavenworth, KS.

He was an active member of St. Benedict Parish, Sacred Heart Council #723 of the Knights of Columbus and V.F.W. Post #1175. Chris was a regular for many years in the Adoration chapel of St. Benedict Parish. Chris was an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion for many years and distributed Communion to those who were sick or homebound in the Atchison area. He enjoyed writing letters and sponsoring children in need through Unbound International Non-Profit for Children & the Aging for over 20 years.

Chris, affectionately referred to as “Chrisco” among all those who knew and loved him, never tired of being the life of the party. His sense of humor brought eruptions of laughter and helped to lighten life- more challenging moments.

Chris and Janet M. Blake were united in marriage on July 11, 1959, at St. James Catholic Church, St. Joseph, MO, and they shared sixty-four years of marriage. He is survived by his wife, Janet Elias; three daughters, Dianna (Glen) Schalles, Manhattan, KS, Amy (Bill) Thomsen, Matthews, NC, Debbie (Randy) Singleton, St. Joseph, MO; two sons, Mike (Kelly) Elias, Atchison, KS, and David (Tammie) Elias, Atchison, KS; a son in law, Randy Phillips, Everest, KS; a sister, Betty Gauthier, Strathmore, Alberta Canada; fifteen grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Nancy Phillips, a grandson, Ryan Phillips, and a sister, Dorothy Pierrard.