Peter C. Zerr, age 87, of Grainfield, passed away Saturday, July 13, 2013 at Hays Medical Center. He was born February 27, 1926 in a sod house south of Park.

As a child, Peter attended Spring Creek country school, and went on to graduate from Park Rural High School. He went on to serve our country in the U.S. Army during World War II, spending much of his time in the Aleutian Islands. On November 16, 1948, Peter was united in marriage to Blanche Richmeier in St. Anthony's Catholic Church in St. Peter. They enjoyed 64 years of marriage together. He was a farmer and rancher his entire life. Peter was proud of the land he farmed and the livestock he raised. Anyone who was familiar with Peter, knew that he always strived to leave a piece of land in better shape than he found it. Soil conservation was a top priority for him. He enjoyed photographing the land and livestock he tended to. When Peter wasn't hard at work on the farm, he loved to take a break and go fishing. Peter was very involved in his community. He was a member and past president of many organizations, including the Grinnell COOP (twenty year board member), the Gove County Farm Bureau, and the Gove Lions Club. He served as a board member of the Federal Land Bank for many years. He was a life member of the Grinnell VFW, a member of the St. Agnes Catholic Church, as well as the Knights of Columbus in Park. After retiring and moving to Grainfield, Peter remained very active in his community, serving on the Grainfield City Council for many years and as Mayor for twelve years. He was also active in the American Legion in Grainfield. Peter absolutely cherished his family. Whenever his children, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren had a school or other event, you could count on seeing Peter and Blanche there to support them.

Peter will be dearly missed by many friends and family, including his wife, Blanche, of the family home; four sons Dennis (Karen) of Garden City, Kevin (Peggy Huelsman) of Grinnell, Keith (Jacky) of Grinnell, Darren (Sherri) of Baldwin City; one daughter Lynette (Terry) Steinbrecher of Denver, Colorado; four brothers Augustine (Phyllis) of Quinter, Vince (Kathy) of Grinnell, Willie (Louella) of Oakley, and Alex (Norma) of Grainfield; four sisters Betty Dreiling of Topeka, Emma Albers of Dodge City, Frances (Rodney) Mense of Grinnell, and Florence (Don) Mense of Hoxie; ten grandchildren Chad Zerr, Christopher Wildeman, Kelly Steinbrecher, Mike Zerr, Gregory Wildeman, Jordon Zerr, Jason Zerr, Kenton Zerr, Kaitlyn Zerr, and Kristen Zerr; and five great-grandchildren Jan Wildeman, Lucas Wildeman, Tasso Wildeman, Wren Zerr, and Silas Zerr. He was preceded in death by his parents.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 17, 2013 at St. Agnes Catholic Church of Grainfield with Father James Thomas as celebrant. Burial will be in the Grainfield City Cemetery.

Visitation will be Tuesday, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., with a parish vigil service immediately following, at the St. Agnes Religious Education Center in Grainfied.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the "Welcome to the City of Grainfield" sign fund or the St. Agnes Catholic Church air conditioning fund, and may be sent in care of Schmitt Funeral Home, 901 South Main, Quinter, KS 67752.

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