Janice A. Komarek, 68, passed away in Ellinwood on Sept. 17, 2019.

Born on June 16, 1951 in Great Bend, she was the daughter of Jacob & Annette (Lubbers) Kowalsky. A lifetime Ellinwood resident she graduated from Ellinwood High School in 1969 and married Tom Komarek at St. Joseph Church in Ellinwood on Nov. 12, 1971. They were married nearly 48 years. Janice worked as a hairstylist and taxidermist in Ellinwood, operating her own shops for both.

Survivors include husband, Tom Komarek; sons, Travis and wife Emily Komarek & Scott and wife Angie Komarek; and 6 grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother Tim Kowalsky.

A gathering of friends and family to celebrate Jan’s life will take place Friday, Sept. 20 at the American Legion in Ellinwood from noon to 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Ellinwood Archery Club or the family in care of Minnis Chapel, PO Box 246, Ellinwood, KS 67526.

GREAT BEND – Elizabeth Chaplin Ledesma, 24, passed away September 15, 2019, at her home in Great Bend. She was born February 14, 1995, at Hoisington to Thomas J. & Samantha (Johnson) Ledesma.

A lifetime area resident, Elizabeth lived in Great Bend and was a caregiver for Sunflower Diversified Services. She was a member of St. Mark Lutheran Church. She was known for her quick wit, always dishing out a good comeback. She was considered a cool friend and had many. She especially enjoyed being with her children and loving them.

Survivors include, her father, Thomas Ledesma and stepmother Kimberly; her mother, Samantha Wesley and stepfather Allan; one son, Damian Ehster of the home; one daughter, Autumn Ehster of the home; one brother, Isaac Ledesma of Great Bend; grandparents, Alberta Ledesma of Hoisington, Ronald Wilson of Great Bend, and Fred Johnson of Trousdale; many aunts, uncles, cousins and many friends. She was preceded in death by her grandmother, Cynthia Wilson; grandfather, Herman M. Ledesma; uncle, Bill McVey; and cousin, Adrian Martin.

There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place. Memorial Service will be held at 3:30 p.m., Saturday, September 21, 2019, at St. Mark Lutheran Church, with Pastor Adam Wutka presiding. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Children’s Education Fund, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net

                        Arrangements by      Bryant Funeral Home           

1425 Patton Road        Great Bend, Kansas     67530

Dateline: Odin, Kansas

Judy Ann Wondra, 74, passed away September 14, 2019, at Olathe Medical Center Hospice House, Olathe.  She was born November 7, 1944, in Hoisington, to Joseph and Burga (Kinzel) Steiner.  Judy married Jerome Anthony Wondra Oct. 10, 1969, at Great Bend.  He died July 20, 2019.

Judy, a life time resident of the Odin area, was a homemaker, farm wife, and librarian for the Independent Township Library in Claflin.  She was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church, Odin, where she served on the Altar Society and taught CCD.

Judy is survived by five children, Jeff Wondra and wife Dede of Holyrood, John Wondra and wife Ashley of Manhattan, Joe Wondra and wife Chrissy of Olathe, Jennifer Berens and husband Chris of Olathe, and Julie Wondra of McPherson; two sisters, Jeanette Shields of St. John and Joan Steiner-Adler of Port St. Lucie, Fla.; and five grandchildren, Rachel, Ryan, Abby, Aubrey and Gracie.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Jerome; and two brothers, Hubert Steiner and Jim Steiner.

Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 17, 2019 at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, 415 N. Main, Hoisington, with family present from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., and vigil with Altar Society Rosary at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, September 18, 2019, at Holy Family Catholic Church, Odin, with Father Terrance Klein.  Interment will follow at Holy Family Cemetery, Odin.

Memorials are suggested to Independent Township Library, Holy Family Cemetery Fund or St. Ann’s Altar Society of Holy Family Parish, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS, 67544.

Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.nicholsonrickefh.net

GREAT BEND – Herbert A. “Herb” Harms, 64, passed away Friday August 9, 2019, at his home in Great Bend. Herb was born September 24, 1954, in Great Bend, the son of Herbert Alan and Gladys (Bitter) Harms. Herb was united in marriage to Sharon Cruse on February 22, 1985 in Great Bend. She survives.

Herb is a life-long Great Bend resident. He obtained a BA, was a farmer and also an employee for USD 428. Herb was a member of the group Artists at Large and loved to garden, paint and read. He enjoyed traveling, watching the Royals, Chiefs and KU basketball. He especially loved spending time with his kids and grandkids.

Survivors include, his wife Sharon of the home; one son, Andrew Harms and wife Meg of Omaha, NE; two daughters, Kara Harms and husband Austin vonBehrens of Kansas City, MO and Katy Harms of Kansas City, MO; one brother, Robert Harms of Hutchinson; and two grandchildren, Roeland and Charlotte.

There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, September 21, 2019, at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to the Golden Belt Humane Society and the Smithsonian Institution, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net

                        Arrangements by      Bryant Funeral Home           

1425 Patton Road        Great Bend, Kansas     67530

GREAT BEND – Trella Ann Berscheidt, 75, passed away September 12, 2019, at Clara Barton Hospital, Hoisington. She was born February 29, 1944 in Alexander, KS to Glenn C. & Hazel M. (Swartz) Scheuerman. She married Paul Berscheidt June 23, 1962, at Ellinwood, KS. He survives.

A lifetime Great Bend resident, Trella worked as a Clerk at the Barton County Courthouse. She was a member of Prince of Peace Parish at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church. She enjoyed helping people and performed volunteer work. Trella loved people, her family and always took care of her husband.

Survivors include, her husband Paul of the home; one son, Michael Berscheidt of Gardner, KS; one daughter, Kimberly Schenk and husband Greg of Great Bend; two brothers, Terry D. Scheuerman and wife Naomi of Tecumseh, OK, and Clifford E. Scheuerman and wife Lynne of Great Bend; 7 grandchildren, Craig Berscheidt, Matthew Schenk, Aaron Berscheidt and wife Kayla, Jason Berscheidt and wife Liz, Jessica Kelly and husband Cody, Sarah Smith and husband Jace, and Blake Berscheidt; and 4 great grandchildren, Colson Kelly, Chloe Kelly, Emma Smith, and Layla Smith. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 to 9:00 p.m., Sunday, September 15, 2019, at Bryant Funeral Home, with Altar Society Rosary at 4:00 p.m. and Vigil service at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, September 16, 2019, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, with Father Don Bedore. Interment will be in the Lakin-Comanche District Cemetery, Ellinwood. Memorials have been designated to the Central Kansas Association for the Visually Impaired, Golden Belt Memorial Park Veterans’ Memorial and Golden Belt Humane Society, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net

                        Arrangements by      Bryant Funeral Home           

1425 Patton Road        Great Bend, Kansas     67530

Dateline: Great Bend, Kansas

Coleen Rita Nuss, 70, passed away September 11, 2019, at Wheat State Manor, Whitewater.  She was born July 26, 1949, at Great Bend, to Eilt and Reita (Yarmer) Miller.  Coleen married Larry Nuss December 18, 1971, at Albert.  He died November 22, 2010.

Coleen, a lifetime Barton and Rush County resident and a 1967 graduate of Otis Rural High School, was a member of Peace Lutheran Church, rural Albert, and enjoyed woodworking, skilled in producing anything from crafts to fine furniture.  Most of all, she loved and adored her grand and great grandchildren.  Coleen was a 20 year employee of Sunflower Diversified Services, retiring in 2017, managing day workers, shop workers and serving as a direct contact for in-home clients.

Survivors include one daughter, Tonya Ross and husband Mike of Whitewater; foster daughter, Beverly Witt and husband Nicholas of Calumet, Okla.; one brother, Stephen Miller and wife Julie of West Des Moines, Iowa; one sister, Shelly DeWald of Otis; seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and canine companion, Destiny.

Coleen was preceded in passing by her parents; husband, Larry; brother-in-law, Paul Menzer; and beloved pet dog, Jessie.

Funeral will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, September 14, 2019, at Peace Lutheran Church, rural Albert, with Pastor Wayne Baldyga and Pastor Tonya Andrews presiding. Interment will follow at Peace Lutheran Church Cemetery.  Visitation will be from Noon to 9:00 p.m., Friday, September 13, 2019, at Bryant Funeral Home, with family receiving friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.  Memorials have been designated to the Coleen Nuss Memorial Fund, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net

                        Arrangements by      Bryant Funeral Home           

1425 Patton Road        Great Bend, Kansas     67530

GREAT BEND – Mark Allen Combs, 60, passed away September 11, 2019, at Kansas Heart Hospital, Wichita. He was born August 17, 1959, at Hutchinson to Clarence “Chief” & Florence “Jean” (Berry) Combs. He married Helen Lamatsch April 30, 1983, at Great Bend. She survives.

Coming from Hutchinson in the late 1970’s, Mark was a Great Bend resident. He was an auto salesman for several auto dealerships. Mark was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Great Bend, Olmitz Knights of Columbus and the Great Bend American Legion. He enjoyed car shows, hunting, fishing, 4 wheeling, motorcycles and his Chevelle. He was a KU and Chiefs fan.

Survivors include, his wife Helen of the home; son Jeremy Combs and wife Crystal of Great Bend; one brother, Robert “Mike” Combs and wife Rosalyn of Augusta, GA; 3 nieces; 2 nephews; and 3 grandchildren, Bryson Combs, Madison Combs and Ava Combs. He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Russell Combs.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., Friday, September 13, 2019, at Bryant Funeral Home. Vigil service will be held at 7:00 p.m., Friday, September 13, 2019, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, September 14, 2019, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church. Interment will be at Hillcrest Memorial Park. Memorials are suggested to the Grandchildren’s Education Fund, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net

                        Arrangements by      Bryant Funeral Home           

1425 Patton Road        Great Bend, Kansas     67530

GREAT BEND – Leann Fischer, 62, passed away September 12, 2019, at Parkwood Village, Pratt. She was born November 29, 1956, at Larned to Lee Roy & Viola (Dome) Schraeder. She married Gregg K. Fischer on August 7, 1976 at Great Bend. He survives.

Leann was a current Stafford County resident coming from Salina and Great Bend.  She was previously employed as a research analyst for Columbian Title Co., Salina, and currently enjoyed all aspects of the farm and ranch life. She was a 4-H leader and enjoyed fishing, sewing, antiques and cooking. She was the number one supporter and cheerleader for her daughters.

Survivors include, her husband, Gregg of the home; two daughters, Nikki Deeds and husband Zach of Pratt, and Stacey Stump and husband Jeff of St. John; mother, Viola Schraeder of Great Bend; three sisters, Kathy Butler of Dallas, TX, Becky Soukup of Wilson, and Connie Harms of Denver, CO; and three grandchildren, August Deeds, Archer Deeds, and Clara Stump. She was preceded in death by her father, Lee Roy Schraeder.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 to 9:00 p.m., Sunday, September 15, 2019, at Bryant Funeral Home, Great Bend, with family receiving friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m., Monday, September 16, 2019, at Bryant Funeral Home with Pastor Doug Enick presiding. Inurnment will be in the Fairview Park Cemetery, St. John. Memorials are suggested to Victory in the Valley or Stafford County 4-H Council, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net

                        Arrangements by      Bryant Funeral Home           

1425 Patton Road        Great Bend, Kansas     67530