Lifelong Phillips County resident, Derek T. Kats, passed away Thursday, November 17, 2022 at the Phillips County Hospital, Phillipsburg, at the age of 86.

He was born August 15, 1936 in Phillips County, KS the son of Theodore and Grace (Engelsman) Kats.  He was a farmer.

Derek graduated from Long Island High School in 1954 and was united in marriage to Shirley L. Alexander on April 10, 1960 at Norton, Kansas.  They lived on the family farm near Prairie View until moving to Phillipsburg in 2007.  She preceded him in death on April 1, 2015.  His parents also preceded him in death.

Derek was a lifelong member of the Luctor Christian Reformed Church and had also served with several community organizations.

Survivors include daughters, Kathy and  husband, Tim Nimz, of Littleton, CO, Sherry and husband, Alan Woodside, of Prairie View, KS, and Vicky and husband, Steve Allen, of Fredericksburg, VA; two grandchildren: Serena and husband Ricky Marquez of Manhattan, KS and Eric Woodside and wife Elizabeth of Prairie View, KS; four great grandchildren: Quinn and Shayla Marquez of Manhattan, KS and Eli and Easton Woodside of Prairie View, KS; brother Sherlyn Kats and wife Irene of Spring Hill, KS; and two sisters Jean Vande Hoef of Holland, MI and Marianne Schlatter of Smith Center, KS.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, November 21, 2022 in the Luctor Christian Reformed Church with Pastor Shawn Richardson officiating. The funeral services will be streamed live on the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel Facebook page. Burial will follow in the Luctor Cemetery.

Mr. Kats will lie in state from noon until 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel.  The family will receive friends Sunday afternoon from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. for visitation at the funeral chapel.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Prairie Wind Villa Assisted Living or to Macular Degeneration Research and may be sent in care of Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, PO Box 563, Phillipsburg, KS  67661.