Wednesday, June 10, 2014

It is with great sadness that I must repor that Russ Lohrey, show auctioneer passed away yesterday. Russ conducted the first barbed wire auction in La Crosse in 1967 and has conducted 46 of 48 Swap & Sell auctions. He missed one year only because he was in the hospital and the doctors would not release him despite his "demands" to make the show. He attempted to come to this year's show, but due to ailing health was not able to make it into the building and had to remain in the vehicle to visit with friends. Any collector that has attended the La Crosse show remembers Russ's unique style and wit. Our condolences go out to his family. He will be missed.

Auctioneer Russ Lohrey (left) and Don Stites conduct the annual auction in this late 1960s photo.

Obituary - Russell Lohrey

Russell Lohrey, age 88 years, longtime La Crosse, Kansas resident, passed away on Tuesday afternoon, June 10, 2014 at the Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas.

Russell was born on January 17, 1926 at rural Bison, Kansas to Phillip and Elizabeth “Lizzie” (Reichel) Lohrey. He graduated from Bison High School in 1943.

Russell was united in marriage to Mary Virginia Meistrell on July 31, 1949 at Plainville, Kansas. He was a rancher/farmer all his life in Rooks, Ellis, and Rush Counties. He was also an auctioneer and real estate broker in Rush County, and owned and operated Lohrey Real Estate with his wife for a number of years.

Survivors include three daughters: Susan Lohrey Moeder (and her husband, Leon) Moeder of Wichita, Kansas, Cynthia Lohrey (and her husband, Jay Pfeiffer) of McCracken, Kansas and Mary Elizabeth Lohrey (and her husband, Ed Walsh) of Wichita, Kansas; one son, John Phillip Lohrey (and his wife, Cathy Ochs) of Bison, Kansas; ten grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Mary Virginia Lohrey on December 17, 1998, and two sisters (Rosa and Velma).

Visitation will be on Friday, June 13, 2014, from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at the Janousek Funeral Home, La Crosse, Kansas, with the family receiving friends from 6:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, June 14, 2014, at 11:00 A.M. at the United Methodist Church in La Crosse, Kansas with Pastor Diana Hill officiating.

Memorials are suggested to the Bison Public Library or the Rush County Fair.