Daniel John Gehrt

Daniel John Gehrt, a beloved husband, brother, uncle, and friend, passed away peacefully on July 10, 2026, at the age of 74, after a courageous battle with Parkinson's disease. Born on December 28, 1951, in Manhattan, Kansas, Dan was the eldest son of Betty (Culbertson) and Maurice "Buck" Gehrt. Dan was a man deeply rooted in his community and his family. Growing up in the Deep Creek Community of Kansas, he lived a life filled with warmth and generosity, always eager to extend a helping hand to those in need. Dan's early education took place at Woodrow Wilson Elementary School, and he graduated from Manhattan High School in 1970. His career spanned an impressive 45 years at Westar Energy (now Evergy) as a power meterman, where he was known for his dedication and expertise until his retirement in 2017. In 1996, Dan married the love of his life, Coralee Heimstra Lane, in Manhattan, Kansas. Together, they celebrated 30 years of marriage, building a beautiful home on Mineral Springs Road. Their life together was filled with joy, shared interests, and the mutual love of maintaining and improving their property. Though Dan and Coralee did not have children, they found family in their community and cherished time spent with their dog, Jack. Dan was a man of many interests and talents. His passion for the outdoors led him to enjoy collecting and shooting firearms, hunting deer, fishing for bass and catfish, and even trying his hand at pheasant hunting in South Dakota alongside Cora and Jack. He was also a devoted Nascar fan who had a special fondness for muscle cars and Harley Davidson motorcycles. When not adventuring, Dan could be found on his John Deere tractors, which he operated with a joyful diligence, tending to the land he loved. The heart of Dan's character was his immense generosity and kindness. Whether lending a helping hand to neighbors and friends or mysteriously emptying the biscuit jar for the delight of a chubby yellow Labrador dog, Dan's "heart of gold" left a lasting impact on all who knew him. His spirit of compassion and dedication to others will be deeply missed. Dan is survived by his loving wife Coralee, his sisters Teresa Sanborn and Sherry (Joe Horocofsky) Gehrt, his brother David (Brenda) Gehrt, nephews Brian Sanborn, Tee, and Payton Gehrt, nieces Stephanie Sanborn and Bobbi Horocofsky, and his faithful service dog, Jack. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother-in-law Steve Sanborn, and his mother-in-law Maria Heimstra. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Dan's memory to the Deep Creek Schoolhouse.. Dan's life, filled with love, laughter, and selfless acts of kindness, will be celebrated and remembered with the deepest affection by all who knew him.