Peter Kohlrus

Peter "Pete" Kohlrus, 88, of Olathe, formerly of Junction City, died July 22, 2013 at St. Luke's South Hospital in Overland Park. Pete was born December 24, 1924 near Castle Rock, in Trego County, Kansas, the son of Karl and Anna Kohlrus. He was one of 13 children and spent most of his childhood in Ellis, Kansas. He attended Ellis High School through his junior year, at which time he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1941 at the age of 17. He was in the infantry, serving in Solomon and Philippine Islands. Pete received numerous decorations and citations, including Good Conduct Medal, Bronze Star, Combat Infantry Badge, and Silver Star.
After WWII, he attended Kansas State University, where he graduated with an accounting degree and was a member of Phi Kappa Theta fraternity. He took advanced ROTC classes while in college, and received a commission a 2nd Lieutenant upon graduation. Pete remained in the Army Reserve and returned to active duty during the Korean War and attained the rank of Captain.
After the Korean War, he joined the Civil Service at Fort Riley. During his tenure at Fort Riley, he held several positions, including Deputy Comptroller for 16 years until he retired in 1984. Pete received numerous awards during his tenure at Ft. Riley, most notably the U.S. Army Commander's Award for Meritorious Service, the first civilian to receive the award in history of the U.S. Army.
Pete married Mary Margaret Buckley at St. Xavier's Catholic Church in Junction City on June 14, 1958. Pete and Mary lived in Junction City until 2006, when they moved to the Kansas City area to be near their children. At that time, they became parishioners at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. They subsequently moved to Santa Marta, a retirement community in Olathe, sponsored by the Catholic archdiocese of Kansas City.
Pete was a 4th Degree member and former Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus. He also was a member of the American Legion. Pete served as a scoutmaster and youth baseball coach in Junction City for a number of years. He served as the chairman of the finance committee at St. Xavier Parish for over a decade. He enjoyed golf, bird hunting, barbecuing, and became adept at creating cards for any and all occasions on his computer. His sense of humor was well- known by all who knew him.
Pete is survived by his wife, Mary Margaret; a son, Mark Kohlrus and his wife Lisa, Lenexa; a daughter, Carol Dickerson and her husband Mark, Overland Park; 5 grandchildren, Zach, Chris, Maggie, Debbie, and Tiffanie; 2 brothers, John Kohlrus and Robert Kohlrus; and 2 sisters, Martha Franz and Jeannie Thorp. Pete was preceded in death by siblings Frank Kohlrus, Eleanore Sekavec, Bill Kohlrus, Jake Kohlrus, Marie Albersson, Aurelia Ketterman, Karl Kohlrus, Jr., and Lena Kohlrus. He was tremendous role model as a catholic man, husband, and father.
Mass Of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Friday, July 26, 2013 at St. Francis Xavier Church, Fr. Kerry Ninemire presiding. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, with Military Honors provided by the U.S. Army Honor Guard from Ft. Riley. A visitation and the family will greet friends, beginning at 10:00 a.m. until service time , Friday at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church.