Lucky Seyler

The biggest, kindest, most loving and giving heart stopped beating on December 4, 2025. Lucky Seyler went to heaven in his sleep, lying next to the love of his life. 
His life will be celebrated on Thursday, December 11 at First Christian Church, 1015 L Street, Aurora. Visitation will be from 10-11 a.m. with the service beginning at 11 a.m. A graveside service will follow at Aurora Cemetery.   Higby-McQuiston Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.   Memorials may be made to the family for future designation. Condolences may be sent to the family through the mortuary website at www.higbymortuary.com.
Lucky was born on October 16, 1940 in LeLoup, Kansas to Arthur and Abby Seyler. He grew up on the family farm, one of nine kids. What fun they had, swimming in the creek, messing with the cows, and climbing trees. Lucky graduated from Wellsville High School in 1958, where he was involved in football, track, choir and the senior play. As an athlete, Lucky summed up his prowess like this: “I may be short, but at least I’m slow!” 
Fate smiled on Lucky at the swimming pool in the summer of 1958 when he laid eyes on the beautiful and wild Karen Wadkins. He knew she was it for him and he started a campaign to make sure she didn’t get away. They were married in Ottawa, KS in 1959, a couple of baby-faced kids. Soon the first of six gorgeous baby girls came along. Lucky took a job with the railroad in Arizona and the young family set off on adventure, where baby #2 was born. They returned to Kansas where baby #3 made her appearance. Soon they moved to McCook, then to Aurora where the second half of their brood were born. Lucky and Karen eventually owned and operated the Gambles Store in Aurora. They moved to Russell, KS in 1984. Four of their daughters eventually made their way back to Nebraska and finally convinced and cajoled Lucky and Karen to move back ‘home’ to Aurora in Dec. 2020. 
Lucky was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2006. He fought it with a fire and determination to keep performing his favorite job - that of taking care of his beloved wife and their girls. 
Lucky Seyler was a superhero: the husband that was madly in love with his bride for more than 66 years, showing his daughters how they should expect to be treated; the dad who was fair, loving and involved, attending sports, concerts and plays, as well as butt-chewings and groundings; the grandpa who made the kids laugh with his antics and love his great strength; the great-grandpa who delighted in every new baby to bring into the fold. 
Lucky was the kind of man who went without meals in the early lean years to make sure his wife and toddler had enough… became the man of the family while still a teenager and took care of his wife, her mother and sister, grandmother and aunt…made free service calls to lonely little old ladies whose appliances worked just fine… served his church as a deacon, elder and chairman of the board… patiently won over the scared stray in the neighborhood so that he could be sure to get the dog in the basement in bad weather… became a foster parent to help a daughter’s friend… quietly slipped money to people in need… always chose the high road and erred on the side of kindness… Lucky will be missed as much as he was loved - enormously. 
Lucky was preceded in death by his parents and mother-in-law, Nora Wadkins; daughter, Laura Brennan; brothers Sam and Jim Seyler; sisters Joan Runnells and Janie Seyler; grandchildren Jacob and Christopher Brennan and Danielle Brennan; and others gone too soon. 
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Karen; children Lisa and Scott Werner of Aurora, Pat Brennan of Highlands Ranch, CO, Mindy and Ray Smidt of Grand Island, Jenny Perez of Aurora, Stephanie and Brian Waterman of Junction City, KS, Sarah and Nick Winfrey of Phillips; grand and great-grandchildren Derek and Hope Werner, Weston, Reagan, Zane, Callum; Trent and Emily Werner, Micah, Selah; Brody Werner; Ryan and Amy Brennan; Tori Brennan and Anna Luthgart; Hannah Chambers; Elizabeth Brennan; Rachel Brennan; Alyssa Kollie and Sterling Hitch, Tiana; Travis Mangus; Stephanie Smidt, Ellie, Blakely, Mason, Hudson; Katy and Newly Gruber, Harlyn, Brecken, Kolynns; Lindsey Perez; Zack Perez; Sydney Perez and Mason King; Hunter Bogenhagen; Tanner Bogenhagen; Cooper Bogenhagen; Bre Waterman-Rivera and Daniel Rivera, Arabella; Briggston Winfrey; Turner Winfrey; Malone Winfrey; brother Dale (Judy) Seyler; sisters Evelyn Mathews, Rita (Everett) Everson, and Deb (George) Schukow.