Raymond A. “Ray” Lierz, 94, retired farmer, stockman, and dairyman of Baileyville, KS, died Thursday, February 15, 2007 at his home.

He was born on a farm east of Seneca, KS, on May 15, 1912, the son of Peter and Mary Kramer Lierz. He attended the Ford Grade School near Seneca for a year, but at age eight he moved with his family to a farm south of Baileyville. He then attended Sacred Heart School at Baileyville and worked on the family farm.

On January 5, 1938, he married LaVerne C. Mulryan at St. Michael’s Church in Axtell, KS. They lived and farmed northeast of Baileyville for two years. In 1940, they moved to the Lierz family farm south of Baileyville where they lived for 19 years and raised six children. The couple bought a farm west of Baileyville in 1959 and lived there until the spring of 1972 when they moved into Baileyville. After his retirement from the farm, Ray worked with Vernus McCaffery for 12 years doing carpentry work and painting homes. LaVerne, his wife of 65 years, preceded him in death on May 15, 2003.

Ray was a member of Sacred Heart Church in Baileyville where he had served on the church council. Ray also served on the Baileyville School Board. His hobbies were playing cards and going fishing with his buddies.

Survivors are four sons, Kenneth Lierz of Tempe, AZ, Ronald and Robert Lierz, both of Topeka, and Adrian Lierz of Overland Park, KS; two daughters, Rosemary Kennedy of Kansas City, MO, and Clara Niehues of Wetmore; 16 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.

Besides his wife, he was proceeded in death by his six brothers, Mathias, Leo, Joseph, Paul, Sylvester, and Vincent Lierz; and four sisters, Clara Broxterman, Bertha Heiman, Mary Mulryan, and Helen Heiman.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 AM Monday at Sacred Heart Church in Baileyville. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM Sunday at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.

Memorials may be given for Sacred Heart Church, and sent in care of the family.