Kenneth Derr

Kenneth H. Derr, 92, formerly of Paola , passed away peacefully on 11-19-20 in Gardner, Ks. Ken was born to Ray and Edith Derr, on July 9 1928, in Gilby, North Dakota. During WWII he served in the Army, in Occupied Japan. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, in Paola. His favorite topic to discuss was the meaning of the Bible. After retiring he enjoyed helping people research and record their family ancestry in the Church’s genealogy office. When the Church sponsored refugees fleeing war zones he turned the reception area of their plumbing business into a thrift shop for the refugees, until the church could get a more permanent facility established. Some of these families lived with him and Maybelle until they could get established. For several years he had members of his immediate family help with a secret Santa project. A donation to a distribution center’s favorite charity was made and in turn they would receive a truck load of returned or slightly damaged merchandise with the stipulation nothing could be sold. After weeks of sorting, repairing and repacking the items and throwing away the items that couldn’t be salvaged, cases of the merchandise were then donated to non-profit organizations in the area. Ken was happiest staying busy. He was always volunteering to help someone move, build, repair or remodel, etc. Often volunteering the whole family to help in one of his random acts of kindness when more man power was needed. He encouraged his four Grandson’s to join the Cub Scouts and guided them to become Eagle Scouts. Not only was their farm often used by local boy scout troops for camp outs and district functions, but often troops from the Kansas City area come out to camp and work on Merit Badges. He was preceded in death by his wife, Maybelle in 2019 and a son, Paul H. Derr in 1969, siblings Donald and Gerry Derr,Wilma Belcourt, Carole Ashiem, Lillian Larson and Peggy Oss. He is survived by sons Wayne (Joyce), David (Janet) and Darrel (Ronda) Derr, 11 Grandchildren, 21 Great-grandchildren and 2 Great-great Grandchidren, siblings Leonard (Margaret) Derr and Kathy Haug, his brother-in-law, Lester (Karen) Oliver and many loved nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers Ken and his family ask that you do a random act of kindness and think of him. Private services were held due to Covid. Family and friends are encouraged to post their memories and condolences on Kenneth's tribute wall.