Kenneth "Shorty" Dreiling

Kenneth “Shorty” Dreiling, age 79, of Victoria, Kansas. Shorty fought and battled cancer for 24 years, he passed away on Saturday, August 1, 2026, surrounded by his family at his home on the family farm southeast of Victoria where he was born.

He was born the sixth child to Otto F. and Albina (Kuhn) Dreiling on March 29, 1947. Kenneth married Patricia “Patty” Dreiling on November 18, 1967, in Victoria, Kansas.

He worked 13 years for Dreiling Masonry as a bricklayer, and was a cat skinner operator of heavy equipment for over 30 years for Schmidtberger Construction.

Shorty, grew up on the family farm, was a 1965 graduate of Victoria High School, was a veteran of the US ARMY, served in the Vietnam War assigned to The Big Red One, and received a Bronze Star Medal.

He was a member of the Basilica of Saint Fidelis, a member of the Victoria V.F.W. Post No. 1751, and served as a Past Post Commander. Shorty enjoyed riding horses, the farm and outdoors, playing pinochle, riding his Harley trike, and was very patriotic to the Flag and the country. He always was ready to partake in the grand kids sports and other activities but, his pride and joy was spending time with his family and his grandkids.

Kenneth is survived by his wife, Patty, of the home; his children, Shane Dreiling and wife, Mona, Hays, KS; Jill Windholz and husband, Ken, Victoria, KS; Brett Dreiling and wife, Heidi, Victoria, KS; his grandchildren, Colby Dreiling and fiancé, Jaici Stanley; Halle Dreiling; Jaxson Windholz; Maggie Windholz; Connor Dreiling and fiancé, Kali Weber; Wes Dreiling; Ty Dreiling; his siblings, Norman Dreiling and wife, JoAnn. Victoria, KS; Clarita Schumacher, Victoria, KS; and Ruth Weigel and husband, Cecil, Gorham, KS; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Otto and Albina Dreiling; his father -in-law and mother-in-law, Elmer J. and Mary Frances (Walters) Dreiling; his siblings, Verlin Dreiling and wife, Patty; Benita Braun; his brother-in-law, Arlyn Schumacher; his niece and nephews, Kim Schumacher; Chris Weigel; Larry Braun; and Kent Braun;

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 A.M. Thursday, August 6, 2026, at The Basilica of Saint Fidelis, 900 Cathedral Ave., Victoria, Kansas with Celebrant, Father Curtis Carlson O.F.M. Cap.

Burial will be in the Saint Fidelis Cemetery, Victoria, Kansas with Military Honors by the Victoria V.F.W. Post No. 1751.

Visitation will be from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M. Wednesday, and from 9:00 to 10:00 A.M. Thursday, all at The Basilica of Saint Fidelis.

The family suggests memorials made payable to: The Basilica of Saint Fidelis or Hospice of Hays Medical Center in care of Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary, 412 Main Street, Victoria, Kansas 67671. Condolences can be emailed to clineschapels@gmail.com or left at the guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com