Orren William Bronson, 68, Hays, Kansas resident, died on December 14, 2021, in Osborne, Kansas.

He was born July 4, 1953, in Smith Center, Kansas to Warren S. and Alma (Emme) Ford Bronson.  He was raised on the family farm north of Kensington.  He attended all 12 years of school in Kensington where he graduated high school with the class of 1971.  He attended Beloit Technical School where he met his wife Earlene Marie Silsby and was married on August 25, 1973.

He worked as a mechanic at his brother-in-law's service station in Esbon, Kansas for a little while. Then he started driving a milk truck where he picked up milk from local dairy farmers across North Central Kansas which had him and his family relocated to Ludell, Kansas for a few years.  He and the family then moved back to the family farm in Kensington, Kansas, where he also worked for a short term at Kensington Lockers until illness caused him to be disabled.

Farming was his greatest passion and loved working with local farmers in Esborn and Kensington or helping out his dad on the family farm.  If he wasn't on the farm you could find him at the local coffee shop talking to everyone.  He also loved driving around and looking at the fields to see if they were ready to harvest, where he helped local harvesters, especially County LIne Harvesters in Kensington, Kansas.  If he wasn't helping on the farm he would be found working in a kitchen somewhere.  He loved cooking and baking for friends, family and neighbors, which was something he picked up from his mom.  He loved kids especially his grandsons and was a people person willing to give a helping hand wherever he could.

He was a coach of the local pee wee baseball league in Esbon, Kansas and served as President of the Pee Wee Baseball Association. He was a member of the Esbon Lions Club, involved in several square dance groups where he and his wife had fun traveling and connecting with others, and was a member of Kensignton Sons of the American Legion at one point.

Orren was preceded in death by his parents Warren and Alma Bronson, brother Doug Ford, brother-in-law Melvin Silsby, sister-in-law Merla (Silsby) Hulbert and her husband Lorus.

He leaves to mourn his passing, wife Earlene in Hays, Kansas; a son Kevin and his two boys Nathan and Jacob in Paola, Kansas and another son Brian in Hays,Kansas.  Three sisters Mary Margret Meisinger in Marion, Kansas; Diane Henry in Arlington, Texas; and Donna Kreutziger in Marion, Kansas.  One brother Donald Bronson in Smithville, Missouri, along with sister-in-law Eula Silsby in Esbon, Kansas and one aunt Joan Emme of Hays, Kansas.  Along with several nieces and nephews, cousins, relatives, family members and several non-traditional adopted members from neighbors to friends of his sons that he loved and treated as his own. Plus his loyal companion, a little dog named Sophie who followed him everywhere.

Cremation was chosen.  A Memorial Service will be held Tuesday, Dec. 28 at 10:30 a.m. in the First St. John Lutheran Church, Kensington, with Pastor Dave Hutson officiating.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Kensington Ministerial Alliance or the Church.