Manire Joseph Berens, age 86, of Derby, formerly of Atwood, passed away on February 19, 2022 at the Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas.

He was the son of Ignatius (I. H.) and Sophia (Kuhn) Berens.  Manire was the second oldest of seven kids and was born August 26, 1936 in Victoria, Kansas.  He later grew up in Monument, Kansas.  Manire served 2 years in the U. S. Army in Alaska.  He married Larena (Ward) Berens on February 4, 1960.  They celebrated 62 years together.  He worked for many farmers around Oakley and Grinnell.  He later moved to Atwood and worked for the Rawlins County Road Department and retired.  He operated lots of heavy machinery.  He also worked for Pioneer Feed Yard, Oakley and Cahoj Earthmoving, Atwood, for many years.  Manire was a hard worker and was always helping people out.  He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.  He didn't know a stranger and was very generous to everyone.  He loved everyone he knew and always joked or tried to play jokes on anyone he could.

Manire was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter, Jody Berens, and two brothers:  Linus Berens and Denis Berens.

He is survived by his wife, Larena, his children:  Michael (Barbara) Berens of Souix City, Iowa,  Rhonda (John) Weir of Sanford, North Carolina, Marshall (Bonnie) Berens of Longmont, Colorado, Stacey Zubia of Dodge City, Janel (Ross) Spohn of Scott City, Shayla (Maury) Richmeir of Wichita, and Stephanie Berens of Gillette, Wyoming, and many grand and great grandchildren.  He is also survived by his brothers:  Leroy (Bernice) Berens of Wichita and Jim (Patti) Berens of Topeka, and sisters:  Jeanice (Gordon) Boody of Wichita and Alvera Vail of Bethany, Oklahoma.  He will be greatly missed.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Sunday, June 12, 2022 at the Oakley Cemetery with Pastor Mark Waterhouse, officiating.  Inurnment will follow with Military Honors by the U.S. Army, Ft. Riley and V.F.W. Post 2981, Oakley.  Memorials in his name may be sent in care of Kennedy-Koster Funeral Home, P.O. Box 221, Oakley 67748.

Sign the online guestbook at www.kennedykosterfh.com