Rex E. Garrelts

Rex Ernest Garrelts, son of Glenn and Irma Garrelts, was born on October 1, 1946 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The family moved to Overland Park, Kansas when he was a baby, and it remained his home thereafter. Rex graduated from Shawnee Mission West High School in 1964. He attended Kansas State University where he was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. Rex met Gloria Lewerenz in the library at KSU and they dated for a year and a half before marriage. They were married on June 22, 1968 and recently celebrated 58 years of marriage. Rex graduated in May 1969 with dual degrees in Chemical Engineering and Business Administration.

Rex and Gloria moved to Kansas City after graduation when Rex began working for Procter and Gamble. They became members of Trinity Lutheran Church. Rex was an Eagle Scout and soon became an assistant Scout Leader for the troop at Trinity along with friends Tom Zschoche and Mark Viets. Rex served on the Property Management Committee, the Social Action Committee, and was chairman of the Trinity Lutheran Foundation. He also played a significant role in renovating the building which would become the second campus for Trinity Lutheran Church.

He became interested in Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University and taught classes for several years, helping many families manage their finances.

Rex was an active alumni member of Sigma Phi Epsilon, serving as the president and helping lead the renovation of the chapter house.

Rex has always enjoyed camping and the outdoors. The Garrelts family and friends, the Viets, spent many summers camping across the United States.

Rex was an avid bicyclist. He rode his bike regularly to work at Procter and Gamble for 30 years. In 1998 he convinced his friend, Mark, to ride the Lewis and Clark Trail (Missouri to Oregon) on bicycles. They began to ride the trail in 1998 and completed it in 2002, riding when they could work it into their schedules.

Rex is survived by his wife, Gloria, sisters - Glenda Garrelts and Karen Hammer, children: Ashley Sanem (Chad); Chris Garrelts (Amy); Andrew Garrelts (Sonja); and Matt Garrelts. Grandchildren: Jackson, Cameron, Max, Claire, Elizabeth, Audrey, Emma, Jake, and Grace. He was an active participant in his grandchildren's lives, spending significant time on bleachers watching baseball, football, wrestling, swimming, softball, soccer, diving, dance, choir, and band. He was a devoted father to his children and a beloved papa to his grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Glenn and Irma, and his brother, Greg.

Rex was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2020 and spent countless hours addressing his symptoms and took every measure possible to maintain his health so that he could spend as much time as possible with family.

A visitation will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, 5601 W. 62nd St, Mission, KS 66202 on Saturday, August 22, 2026 from 10:00 - 11:00 am. Funeral service will begin at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, donations in Rex's name may be made to Parkinson's exercise and wellness center or Advanced Home Health and Hospice.

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."
2 Timothy 4:7