Roger Kent Kvasnicka (1945-2021)
Roger Kent Kvasnicka, 76, passed away Dec. 4, 2021, at his home in Lucas, Kan.
He was born March 6, 1945, in Ellsworth, Kan. to Dell and Joyce (Chard) Kvasnicka.
A 1963 graduate of Lucas High School, he was a proud Lucas Demon, and evidently, from stories told, was pretty decent at kicking a football.
Roger received his Bachelor of Science Degree from Fort Hays State University in June of 1968, and accepted his first teaching and coaching position in 1968 for USD 407 at his Alma Mater, Lucas High School. He transferred from Lucas High School to Russell High School from 1979-1980. From 1980-1985, he taught at USD 407, Gorham High School in Gorham, Kan. He ended his teaching and coaching career at USD 407, Ruppenthal Middle School in Russell, Kan. from 1985-2000. He retired in 2000 after a 32 year teaching career.
Roger married Barbara (Burger) Nov. 16, 1996. The couple just celebrated 25 years of marriage last month.
Roger lived and breathed sports, but specifically the Crimson and Blue, KU Jayhawks. He never missed a game, and would record the games, watching them over and over again, critiquing each player’s every move. He, of course, also loved the KC Chiefs and the KC Royals, but the Jayhawks, especially the men’s basketball team, was his true passion. He was involved in a group chat with his brothers, son, son-in-law, and nephews during each game’s entirety, celebrating the wins, and grieving the losses.
Roger was preceded in death by his mother, Joyce Ward; father, Dell Kvasnicka; stepfather, Gene Ward; daughter, Amy Kvasnicka; son, Clint Francis; brother, Gary Ward; sister-in-law, Tamela (Monte) Ward; nephews, Josh Ward and Kurt Bretz; and niece, Kari Bretz.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara; son, Jeremy (Lara) Kvasnicka; daughter, Erin (Seth) Streit; grandchildren, Derek (Katie) Kvasnicka, Kena Kvasnicka, Dylan Streit, Madison Streit, Chalee Francis, and Gage Francis; sisters, Caryle Ward, Jana Ward Tate, Gayla (Clyde) Wilson, and Lesa (Monty) Fox; sister-in-law, Lori Ward; brothers, Kim (Debbie) Ward and Monte Ward; and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Cheryl and Gordon Bretz and Greg and Wilma Burger. He is also survived by many, many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews that he loved so very much.
There will be a graveside memorial service at the Lucas Cemetery at 2 p.m. Dec. 15 for friends and family.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Lucas Public Library, in care of Parsons Funeral Home, PO Box 45, Ellsworth, Kan. 67439.
Condolences can be made at parsonsfh.com.