Galen Dale Moore, 73, died January 12, 2026, at his family farm house in Nickerson. He was born December 17, 1952, in Hutchinson, to Clinton and Wanda (Brown) Moore.
Galen graduated from Nickerson High School in 1971 and attended Hutchinson Community Junior College. He was a rancher and farmer his entire life, working several other jobs such as driving a truck for Dillons and running his own hay hauling business to support his family and the family farm. Galen was blessed to live on the family farm and raise his family in the same house he lived in for almost his entire life, farming alongside his brothers. Galen served on the Nickerson Co-op board, and was a member of the Kansas Cattlemen’s Association, R-CALF, and Teamsters Local 795. Family was everything to Galen, and he was like a second father to many of them. His true pride and joy though were his five grandchildren. Even on days when Galen felt under the weather, “Papa” still strived to attend all of his grandchildren’s events.
On May 25, 1974, he married Kathy J. Kostner, in Murdock, KS.
Galen is survived by: his wife of over 51 years, Kathy of Nickerson; daughters, Tami Minnis (Travers) of Haven and Shelly DeFrain (Jeff) of Pretty Prairie; grandchildren, Sienna DeFrain, Sorrel DeFrain, Sadler DeFrain, Bayleigh Minnis and Alexander Minnis; brother, Ronald Moore (Lee Anne); of Texas; sister-in-law, Karleen Moore of South Hutchinson; brother-in-law Mark Kostner (Donna) of Murdock, KS; numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews; and a host of friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Clinton Moore and Wanda (Brown) Moore Inghram; stepfather, Everett Inghram; brothers, Randy Moore (Sandi) and Terry Moore; and in-laws, Virgil and Mary Kostner (Mark Krammer).
Galen’s Farewell Party will be 4:00 p.m. Sunday, January 25, 2026, at the South Hutchinson Community Building, 101 W. Avenue C, South Hutchinson, with Pastor Sam Askew officiating. Friends may sign his book from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Elliott Mortuary.
Memorials are suggested to Hospice and HomeCare of Hutchinson, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.