Walter P. Dreher

May 30, 1929 - January 26, 2020

Walter P. Dreher, 90, gave us his last good story to share with family and friends on Jan. 26, 2020. He passed away peacefully sitting in his favorite spot in the sun just outside of Papa’s Playhouse. Walt was born May 30, 1929 to Joseph C. and Philomenia (Klaus) Dreher in Schoenchen, KS. He married Billie (Henage) Dreher on May 14, 1955 in Clayton, NM.

Walt grew up on the farm in Schoenchen, the 7th of 13 children. He worked on the family farm until joining the Army in 1951 and served in Korea until 1953. Walt worked for Porter Trucking, R.C. Williams and 4-Way Trucking in the oil fields and continued to drive a truck until retiring in… well we’re not sure he ever really retired. He continued to work in Papa’s Playhouse fixing his beloved tractor and numerous mowers in Pratt, KS before moving to Topeka, KS and painting every tool he owned. Walt will be remembered as an ornery and one of a kind man who always had a story to share.

Walter is survived by his children, G. Denise (Bryan) Phipps, Topeka, Lena (Warren) Dreher-Heflin, Haysville, and Paul Dreher, Pratt; two sisters, Rosina Rohr, Garden City, Lily VanHooser, Andover; one brother, Irv Dreher, Hays, five grandchildren, Michele (Ian) Garner, Timothy Heflin, Amy (Joseph) Luber, Conner Dreher, and Libby Heflin; three great-grandchildren Cooper, Carson and Maddox Garner; and six beloved children Spencer and Jake Siroky, Morgan Shore, Brynn and Garrett Jellison, Jaila Renner and Shayli and Derek Anderson.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Billie; his parents; sisters, Marcella Herrman, Albertine Haselhorst, Angie Herrman, and Agnes Spies; brothers Eddie Dreher, Alex Dreher, Vic Dreher, Norbert Dreher, and Ernie Dreher, one grandchild Bryson Metzinger.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in memory of Walter Dreher to the Fisher House. Monetary donations can be made online through their website (https://fisherhouse.org/ways-to-give/) or by Check with printed Donation Form found at their website.

A celebration of life will be held from 2:00-4:00 p.m., February 15, 2020 at the Pratt Senior Center, 619 North Main, in Pratt, KS.