Kent Alan Stehlik, 82, of Dodge City, passed away at his home May 20th, 2026.

He was born April 23, 1944, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

He was survived by his daughter, Kimberly Komesar and grandson, Nicholas Erdmann, and several loving cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Howard Francis and Joyce Mae (Kitzrow) Stehlik.

To say history was Kent’s passion, would be an understatement. He was a devoted member of the Ford County Historical Society and was its president at the time of his passing.

Kent devoted his career to countless nonprofit organizations, helping them to survive and progress for the benefit of all southwest Kansas. Manor of the Plains, the Santa Fe Depot, the Ford County Legacy Center, the Mueller-Schmidt House/Home of Stone, and the Dodge City Area Arts Council are but a few of the organizations he helped. “If we don’t keep these symbols of our history we will forget them,” he said. “I think it’s very important we keep a sense of our history and how we got to where we are today.”

Kent was an ardent history buff but was just as happy to discuss with equal interest his love of the Green Bay Packers football team, even lending his fundraising abilities to the benefit of the team.

There will be a memorial service on June 24th, from 4:00pm-6:00pm, at the Carnegie Center for the Arts.

Memorials are suggested to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, in care of Ziegler Funeral Chapel, 1901 N. 14th Ave., Dodge City, Kansas 67801.