Orren Bronson

Orren William Bronson, 68, Hays, Kan., resident, died on Dec. 14, in Osborne, Kan.

He was born July 4, 1953, in Smith Center, to Warren S. and Alma (Emme) Ford Bronson. He was raised on the family farm north of Kensington. He attended all 12 years of school in Kensington where he graduated high school with the Class of 1971. He attended Beloit Technical School where he met his wife, Earlene Marie Silsby. They were married on Aug. 25, 1973.

He worked as a mechanic at his brother-in-law’s service station in Esbon for a little while. Then he started driving a milk truck where he picked up milk from local dairy farmers across North Central Kansas which had him and his family relocated to Ludell, Kan., for a few years. He and the family then moved back to the family farm in Kensington, where he also worked for a short term at Kensington Lockers until illness caused him to be disabled.

Farming was his greatest passion and he liked working with local farmers in Esbon and Kensington or helping out his dad on the family farm. He liked driving around and looking at the fields to see if they were ready to harvest, where he helped local harvesters, especially County Line Harvesters in Kensington. If he wasn’t helping on the farm he would be found working in a kitchen somewhere. He enjoyed cooking and baking for friends, family and neighbors.

He was a coach of the local Pee Wee baseball league in Esbon and served as president of the Pee Wee Baseball Association. He was a member of the Esbon Lions Club, involved in several square dance groups and a member of Kensignton Sons of the American Legion at one point.

Orren was preceded in death by his parents Warren and Alma Bronson; and brother, Doug Ford.

He is survived by his wife, Earlene, Hays; sons, Kevin, of Paola, and Brian in Hays; three sisters, Mary Margret Meisinger of Marion, Diane Henry of Arlington, Texas, and Donna Kreutziger of Marion; one brother, Donald Bronson of Smithville, Mo.