Teri Jean Hart

Teri Jean Hart, age 64, of Hays, Kansas, went to be with our Lord after passing away peacefully at home on September 15, 2023. She was a devoted wife, loving mother, loyal daughter, affectionate caregiver, and faithful friend.

Teri was born to Otto R. Jr. and Rachel J. (Woods) Rohla in Concordia, Kansas, on June 21, 1959. Along with her parents, she and her older sister Jody Robertson and younger brother Otto ‘Ross’ Rohla III moved to Colby in 1966, where she spent most of her youth. After graduating from Colby High School, Teri obtained her LPN license at Colby Community College in 1979. She first discovered her passion for nursing those in need with her exceptional caregiving abilities. She especially loved helping her elders. Teri had found her calling.

Fresh out of college, Teri began her long and successful nursing profession at St. Anthony Hospital in Hays, Kansas, 44 years ago, and a year later, she fell in love with her husband, Ronald James Hart. They happily married on June 8, 1984. Teri and Ron were blessed to become parents to Jesse Alexander Hart and Rayna Michelle Hart. Teri was a wonderful wife and mother. Throughout this period in her life, she took nursing classes at Fort Hays State University to improve her skills.

Precisely ten years after starting her professional career, Teri completed the Nursing program at Fort Hays State University, passed state boards, and added BSN and RN to her credentials. Teri had reaffirmed her calling.  

Throughout her cherished RN career, Teri was recognized with numerous awards, such as the Daisy Team Award, and became a national Cherokee Inspired Comfort Award nominee. She belonged to the FHSU Honor Society’s Nu Zeta Chapter, Sigma Theta Tau International. Her years of devotion to nursing culminated with her being bestowed the Sister Mary J. Mollison, RN ‘Nurse of the Year Award’ at HaysMed in 2020.

Beyond those within her own home, Teri was blessed and loved by a large family who also thought the world of her. Along with her many aunts, uncles, and cousins she kept in touch with, Teri was adored by all her four parents, six siblings, 14 nieces and nephews, plus 26 great nieces and nephews, and all their spouses. Teri was friendly and sincere; her extended family witnessed her kindness firsthand, and she knew they loved her back. Teri influenced many of her young relatives to seek their own medical professions eventually.  

Teri will also be remembered as a great friend to many. Teri was an affectionate person and a natural for making friends. Many of her dearest friends were those in various medical fields, those she had given care for, and some of her closest friends had even known her since grade school. Whether at HaysMed, Daylight Donuts, church, ball games, home, or shopping, Teri always brought her special gift of kindness.

Teri had an adventurous side, including traveling the US, whether by motorcycle, plane, train, automobile, snowmobile, yacht, canoe, 18-wheelers or ferry. She always enjoyed bringing others along to share her joy and make new friends.

Teri is survived by her husband, Ronald J. Hart; her children, Jesse A. Hart and Rayna M. Hart; her mother, Rachel J. Rohla; her mother-in-law, Phyllis F. Hart; and many siblings, family, and friends.

Teri was preceded in death by her father, Otto R. Rohla Jr.; her father-in-law, William F. Hart; and her great-nephew, Rylan A. Gier.

Funeral services were held Thursday, September 21, 2023, at the First United Methodist Church in Hays, Kansas, with Pastor Craig Hauschild and Rev. Cana Moore officiating. Burial was in Fort Hays Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Hays.

The family suggests memorials made payable to the organizations, Wichita Cancer Foundation, Cancer Council of Ellis County, or Fort Hays State University Foundation (Nursing Department) in care of Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601.
     Condolences can be sent via e-mail to clinesmortuary@eaglecom.net, clinesmortuary@eaglecom.net or left at guestbook at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com