Reverend Robert S Kreier, (Bob), 89, of Salina, Kansas died on Wednesday, May 09, 2018, in Salina, Kansas.

Bob was born on  January 29, 1929, in Streator, Illinois the son of Gus and Tillie (Weber) Kreier.  His parents vowed to direct his life to the service of God after he contracted spinal meningitis at three days old.  Bob experienced a miracle when a doctor perform a delicate surgery to relieve the pressure on his brain thus saving his life.  He again defied odds to survive a Scarlett Fever outbreak at the age of 8.  He graduated from Streator High School in 1947.   He then graduated from Wartburg College with a BA in English in 1951.   He obtained a Master of Divinity from Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, IA in 1955, and later served as an intern at the American Lutheran Church in Bellville, KS.  He was ordained at his home church of St. Paul's in Streator in 1955.  His first assigned parish was Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Ness City, KS.   While in Ness City he met and married Arleene V. Duerksen on June 13, 1957.   While living in Ness City they had two children, David John and Patricia Ann.  In 1962, Pastor Bob got the call to go to Talmage, Nebraska, serving both the town church of Trinity Lutheran and the country church, St. Paul's.  In 1972, the two Talmage churches merged to form one new church called Faith Lutheran Church with Bob remaining as the pastor.  He and Arleene were blessed with another daughter, Kristine Lynn while residing in Talmage.  In January of 1973, the family moved to Milberger, Kansas where he served as the pastor at United Emmanuel Lutheran Church.  During his time in Milberger he was a Clergy Dean of the Central District Synod and also served on the board of the Hoisington Hospital. He was a member with Sunflower 4-H Club, a Russell Countywide 4-H leader and a founding member of the Milberger Activities Association.  He was also a board member and lifelong supporter of the Oaks Indian Mission in Oaks, Oklahoma.  Pastor Bob and Arleene were blessed with the opportunity to go to the Holy Land shortly after coming to Milberger.  In 1983, he accepted a call to pastor in Athol, Kansas at St. John's Lutheran Church and in 1989, he accepted the call to Courtland, Kansas at Ada Lutheran Church.   He retired in 1995, and moved to Salina, Kansas.  During his retirement he continued working as a fill - in or intermittent pastor for churches in need.  He help pastor with Andover Lutheran Church in Windom, Kansas, Peace Lutheran Church in Great Bend, Kansas and Peace Lutheran Church in Albert, Kansas.  He loved to golf, fish, and play sports with children of his churches.  He was frequently the pitcher at vacation bible school and could often be seen shooting hoops with his children.  He was an avid photographer his entire life.  He recorded many events for the churches he served and the conventions through the church.   He was the Countywide 4 - H leader in Photography for Russell County and many of his pictures were in the Russell Newspapers at that time.  While at Courtland he was frequently used as the photographer for the Courtland News Paper.  He always enjoyed sharing stories of his life and spending time with his family.  He was a jack of all trades, from fixing cars and mowers or wood working.  He was dedicated to his faith and family and will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his wife, Arleene, and 2 daughters, Kristy Mader (Curt) and Patty Kreier (Diane Branning).   Grandchildren Zoe, Hayle, and Emily Mader and Donald Brown, Hollie, Ashley, Chad, and Tyler Kreier-Branning, and Tyree Branning.  He is also survived by 5 Great Grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents son, David, 2 Sisters, Ruth and Maxine, and 2 Brothers, Arthur and Roy.

A graveside service to celebrate Robert's life will be held at 7 P.M. on Monday, May 14, 2018, at the St. John Lutheran Cemetery in Russell, Kansas, with Pastor Ed Foster officiating.  Visitation and family greeting will be from 5 P.M. to 7 P.M. on Monday evening, May 14, 2018, at the Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell, Kansas.  Immediately following the visitation, family and friends will go in precession to the St. John Lutheran Cemetery for the graveside committal service.  Burial of the casket will follow and services will conclude at the cemetery.  Memorials may be given to Oaks Indian Mission of Oaks, Oklahoma, and may be sent in care of the mortuary.  Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.