Fred Hiram Crotinger, 76, of Tribune, Kansas, passed away on October 23, 2026, leaving behind a family who will deeply miss him and find comfort in knowing he is reunited with his beloved wife, Kathy.

Fred was born on December 15, 1949, in Tribune, Kansas, to William H. and June Glenn Crotinger. A lifelong member of the Tribune community, he graduated with the Class of 1968, attended Kansas State University and returned home to help his father farm. After many years of farming he worked for the United States Postal Service for 25 years and retired in 2020. He was affiliated with the United Methodist Church in Towner, Colorado.

On June 17, 1972, Fred married Laura (Kathy) Kathryn Moritz in Tribune. Together, they raised their daughter, Sandy, and son, Scot. Their marriage spanned 48 years before Kathy’s passing on July 15, 2020.

Fred’s memory will live on through his children, grandchildren, siblings, and the many people who shared his life. His family takes comfort in imagining him and Kathy together again, watching over those they love.

He is survived by his daughter, Sandy Blasi and husband, Dean, of Andale, Kansas; his son, Scot Crotinger and wife, Cassie, of Topeka, Kansas; six grandchildren; his brothers, James (Jim) Crotinger and wife, Janette, of Tribune, Kansas, and Rod Crotinger and wife, Jolene, of Concordia, Kansas; his sisters, Mavis Houk and husband, Glenn, of Chouteau, Oklahoma, and Mary Chandler and husband, Jerry of Lawrence, Kansas; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Kathy; his parents; his sister, Marsha Engleken, and two nephews, Marshall Houk and Jesse Larkins.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 MST October 29, 2026, at the Tribune United Methodist Church, with nephew, AJ Crotinger and Pastor Nick Talbott Dixson officiating. Burial will follow at Greeley County Cemetery. Fred’s nephews will serve as pallbearers, and members of the Class of 1968 will serve as honorary pallbearers.

Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday and 10:00 a.m. Wednesday at Price & Sons Funeral Home, 322 2nd Street, Tribune, Kansas.

Memorials can be written to the Fred Crotinger Memorial Fund in care of Price & Sons Funeral Home, PO Box 161, Leoti, Kansas, 67861.

Fred enjoyed fishing, playing card games, doing puzzles, finding the perfect arrowhead or most interesting fossil, watching NASCAR, and replaying every episode of M.A.S.H. He thoroughly enjoyed bowling as he bowled a near perfect score of 297. Not to forget to add being a prankster when any opportunity arose, he loved to make people laugh.  But nothing in his life compared to the joy he found in his grandchildren. As his health declined over the years, visiting them and attending their special events became increasingly difficult. Even when he could not be there, his love and pride remained constant. Every moment with them was precious. He cherished even the smallest opportunities to be by their side. He spoke of their accomplishments with boundless pride, his face lighting up whenever he shared their stories. To each of them, he was often a man of few words, but he gave a love that was steady, generous, and unconditional. A silent gift of love their Papa gave them and one they will carry in their hearts for the rest of their lives.