Gilbert Nelson Kysar

Gilbert Nelson Kysar told his last story on Oct. 14, 2026. If you are wondering if you ever met him, you didn’t – because you would remember it. He was world-renowned for telling it like it was. For those of you who didn’t meet him, maybe this obituary will shed a little light on the man he was.

Gib (or Uncle Big to many) was born to Vernon Edwin Kysar and Edith Marian Allen Kysar on Feb. 10, 1944, in Quinter, Kansas – 100 years too late. Given Gib’s demeanor, he would have been the perfect weathered cowboy in the Old West, or a rough and tough pioneer making his way across the western plains.

Gib was the sixth of 6 kids, the bottom rung. But instead of taking his place on that rung, listening to the older kids, and doing as his older siblings told him to do, he decided to anoint himself as “the Duke” of all the kids in the neighborhood. He spent his childhood and early adulthood ordering them around. He was a great orator (not like Shakespeare, but like John Wayne), as he always had something to say, and he always had to have the last word.

His position as “The Duke” was challenged by many men. Over the years, he may have met his match. But one thing for sure, you didn’t take a swing at Gib and not expect to get one back. Gib’s fondness for authority (his own – not others’) followed him from Quinter, Kansas, to Gunnison, and later to Olathe. This provided for many interesting experiences and stories with yarns of fast cars, nice horses, cowboys, machine guns, bear cubs and elk, and even a tale or two about a few “run-ins” with the law.

Gib worked as a rancher for more than 30 years. He was a jack of all trades. There wasn’t a bulldozer he couldn’t rebuild, a piece of equipment he couldn't make run, a car he didn’t make fast, a team of horses he couldn’t teach to drive, or a gun he didn’t fancy.

In addition to all the tales he leaves behind, he leaves behind his daughters, Barbara Kaiser (Rick), Joanna Kysar, and Margaret Ipantenco (Alek), Deanna (Mike), and the late Helen Kysar. He will be missed by his grandchildren, Kadel Murdock (Kayla), and Karson Ferguson, Clayton Cooper (Shelby), Jessica Cooper (Ryan), Lena, Nikolai, and Lilly. Great-grandchildren of his legacy are Kash and Blake Murdock, Gunnison Miller, and Forest, Ty, and Banks Cooper. Also left to keep the stories alive are his sister Kathy Howard and brother Doug Kysar; stepson, Eric Christensen; step-grandson, Wacey Christensen; step-daughter, Jan Brown; along with a number of nieces, nephews, and cousins who always wanted to hang out near him to hear the next story – not because he was such a great storyteller, but because he was Uncle Big, The Duke, Cowboy Gib, the hero to us all and a force of his own.

He will have a reunion in heaven with his beloved wife, Penny (Eilebrecht) Kysar; daughter, Helen Kysar; mother, Edith; father, Vern; sisters Shirley, Dorothy, Marian, and their husbands Marlan, Tom, and Warren, respectively; as well as many cousins, aunts, uncles, and old friends that passed before him. It will be a grand family reunion for sure!

A common line in obituaries is “He never met a stranger” – but in Gib’s case, he never met a rule he couldn’t break, a boundary he couldn’t push, a line he couldn’t cross, or a story he couldn’t tell. He would never think twice about helping another and would readily jump in. Despite his crusty exterior, remarks, and stubbornness, there is actual evidence he was a loving, giving, and caring person. That evidence is the deep sorrow and pain in our hearts that his family feels from his passing.

Gib enjoyed a good life. And for the record, he didn’t lose his battle with dementia; it was a tie. He never gave up the fight. He was ready to meet his Maker and God’s in store for some great storytelling.

Visitation will be held Friday, Oct. 23, 2026, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Schmitt Funeral Home in Quinter, Kansas. The funeral will be held Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at Quinter Methodist Church. Burial will follow at Baker Township Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the Gib Kysar Memorial Scholarship and may be mailed to Schmitt Funeral Home, 901 South Main Street, Quinter, KS 67752.

To share memories or leave condolences, please visit www.schmittfuneral.com.