Garen Lee Diercks, age 75 of Agra, KS, passed away on Saturday, December 10, 2022 at the Smith County Regional Hospital in Smith Center, KS. As he took his final earthly breaths, he held the hand of his beloved wife Cathy, and was surrounded by the family they built together.

Garen was born April 14, 1947 in Kensington, KS, the fifth of six children born to Richard and Clara (Gremmel) Diercks. For all his life, Garen faithfully attended St. John Lutheran Church in Kensington, KS.  It was there that he was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith, where he married the love of his life, Cathy Ann Baetz, on June 9, 1974, and where his body will be laid to final rest.

Garen and Cathy first made their home in Glen Elder, KS. In 1980, they returned to Garen's hometown of Agra, KS, where they raised their three children. He was a jack of all trades, working a variety of jobs in construction and mechanics, and then operating the grain elevator in Agra for 22 years before retiring in 2014. He leaves behind many friends in Agra and the surrounding communities, who will miss his ever-smiling face and friendly waves.

Garen devoted his life to his wife and his family. After Cathy suffered a life-altering stroke in 2009, Garen selflessly took on the role of caregiver, dedicating his time and energy to keeping Cathy healthy and happy. His children Stephanie (and Richie) Lowther, Brian (and Sarah) Diercks and Amanda (and Kyle) Riesberg cherish memories of him fishing, cheering on his favorite teams (the Jayhawks, Chiefs and Royals), making homemade ice cream, and never missing an episode of Wheel of Fortune.

Garen's twelve grandchildren (Amanda, Brian, Amber, Melissa, Cameron, Matthew, Emily, Isaac, Connor, Aubrey, Chloe and Hakeem) and one great-grandchild (Blake) will especially miss their grandpa's homemade cinnamon rolls, which he always made when his grandkids came to visit.

In addition to his wife, children and grandchildren, Garen is survived by his siblings Jeanette Stevens, Dalyn (and Carole) Diercks, Wesley (and Linda) Diercks and Carolyn Mott, and also by Cathy's siblings Mike, Kay, Jerry, Pat and Marty Baetz.

He was preceded in death by his parents, parents-in-law Gerald and Eunice Baetz, brother Robert Diercks, brothers-in-law John Stevens and Chuck Mott, sister-in-law Lori Baetz, and twin grandsons Adam and Aaron Lowther.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, December 13, 2022 at the St. John Lutheran Church, Kensington, with Pastor Kathy Whitney officiating. The services will be streamed live on the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel Facebook page .  Burial will follow in the St. John Lutheran Cemetery, Kensington.

Mr. Diercks will lie in state from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, 1115 2 ^nd St., Phillipsburg, KS  67661.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Garen Diercks Memorial Fund to be designated at a later date.