Great Bend Tribune

08/18/2025

An evening session is open to the public.

Parents and guardians of USD 428 students in grades 6112 are invited to an important and eye-opening presentation at Great Bend High School Auditorium, 2027 Morton Street, on Thursday, Aug. 21, from 6-7 p.m. The program, “Think Before You Post” – The Power of Social Media Tour with national sp...

08/18/2025

The seventh annual Blessed Bike Rally took place Saturday in Jack Kilby Square. There was a free bounce house for kids and plenty of opportunities for Christian Fellowship. In this photo, bikers take part in a “slow race,” to see who can get to the finish line last, without putting a foot down.

08/18/2025

While car lovers showed off their rolling sculptures last Saturday, a robbery was about to take place nearby. Shots were fired but no one was hurt in the skit performed by members of Hays Community Theatre.

08/18/2025

STAFFORD — It would be nice if this was the last few days of 100 degree heat. My first child was born Aug. 12, 1980. Those of you pregnant that summer know exactly what I’m talking about. It is recorded that this area had 46 100-degree or higher days that summer.

08/18/2025

The Barton County Farm Bureau Association welcomed Country Connections couple Paul and Shannon Holder back to central Kansas on Sunday for the 106th BCFB annual meeting. Others honored that evening were the 2025 Sesquicentennial Farm Family, the 2025 Century Farm Family and the 2025 Farm Family Awar...

08/18/2025

Timothy Joseph Williams

Timothy Joseph Williams, 63, died Aug. 16, 2025 at Via Christi St. Francis in Wichita. Services are pending with Bryant Funeral Home.

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Aug. 19, 2025 #

08/18/2025

Lois M. Cate 1929 - 2025

LARNED — Lois M. Cate, 96, passed away Aug. 15, 2025 at Larned, Kan.
She was born June 2, 1929 in Ava, Mo., the daughter of Fred and Flora Bell Vince Baxter. She was a resident of Larned moving from Ellinwood in 2010. She was a homemaker and did interior painting and wallpapering
She was a member of the Raymond Baptist Church.
Lois was an avid fisherman, loved doing needlework, crocheting, sewing, dancing, baking, camping, doing aerobics and putting puzzles together.
She married Junior Edward Cate on Dec. 9, 1950 in Hutchinson, Kan. He passed away July 1, 2001. She later married Robert Lavern Clark in Raymond, Kan. He passed away Oct. 27, 2013.
Survivors include three daughters, Judy Hitchcock, Colorado Springs, Colo., Cindy Huff, Larned, Kan. and Christi (Charles) Tiede, Hays, Kan.; two son-in-laws, Marcus Ballenger, Wichita and David Carrier, Ellsworth, Kan.; six grandchildren, LeAnna Carrier, Jason Carrier, Josh (Shaun) Huff, Blake Huff, Audra (Diego Gonzalez) Birzer, and Geoffrey Birzer; six great grandchildren, Dakota Carrier, Dylan Carrier, Gracie Huff, Owen Gonzalez, Ian Gonzalez, and Isla Gonzalez. She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Connie Carrier; step-son, Michael Cate; two sisters, Dorothy Branham and Juanita Baxter; and seven brothers, Harold Baxter, Alfred Baxter, Ted Baxter, Howard Baxter, Ellsworth Baxter, Arthur Baxter, and Frank Baxter.
Graveside service will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 19th at Hilltop Cemetery, Raymond, Kan., with Pastor Rick Standlee presiding. Visitation will be 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 18, 2025 at Beckwith Mortuary, Larned, KS. with family present from 6-8 p.m.
Memorials may be given to Raymond Baptist Church, in care of Beckwith Mortuary, P.O. Box 477, Larned, KS 67550. Personal condolences may be left at www.beckwithmortuary.com.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Beckwith Mortuary
P.O. Box 477
Larned, KS 67550
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Aug. 19, 2025

08/18/2025

Kenneth ‘Kenny’ Gomez 1932 - 2025

CHASE — Kenneth ‘Kenny’ Gomez, 92, of Chase, Kan., passed away Aug. 14, 2025, at his home. He was born on Dec. 1, 1932, in Geneseo, Kan., the son of Placido and Guadalupe (Maldonodo) Gomez. Kenny has resided in Chase since 1957, formerly of Geneseo. He graduated from Geneseo High School, with the class of 1950. Kenny served in the United States Navy from Feb. 15, 1952 until Dec. 15, 1953, during the Korean War. He worked at C.E. Wood Well Service, in Chase, for 40 years, was a janitor at Sunflower Diversified in Great Bend, and was the owner and operator of Gomez Mowing Service for 25 years. Kenny was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Chase, where he served on the church council. He was a past board member of USD 401 School Board, member of the Chase Lions Club, Chase City Council member, and was a member of the Lincoln Township Board. Kenny volunteered for the Chase Fire Department for 30 years, and 31 years for the Rice County Rural Fire Department. On June 11, 1955, Kenny was united in marriage with Irene “Betty” Harms in Lyons. She preceded him in death on May 31, 2012. On Jan. 15, 2016, Kenny was united in marriage with Brenda Singleton, in Abilene, Kan.
Kenny is survived by his wife, Brenda Gomez, of Chase, Kan.; son, Tony Gomez (Bev) of Aurora, Colo.; two daughters, Mary Satterlee-Wilson (Jay) of St. George, Kan., and Shelly Kurth of Wichita, Kan.; 17 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Kenny is preceded in death by his parents; two sons, Kenneth “Mike” Gomez, and Christopher Gomez; two grandsons; and six siblings.
A Homecoming celebration will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, at Birzer Funeral Home, Lyons with Jay Wilson officiating. Burial will follow at the Lyons Municipal Cemetery, Lyons, with military honors by the United States Navy Honor Guard. Visitation will be from 2 until 7 p.m., Monday, Aug. 18, 2025, at Birzer Funeral Home, Lyons, with family present from 5 until 7 p.m. A rosary will be prayed at 7. Memorials may be given to Chase Alumni, Traditions Hospice, or Kansas Honor Flight in care of Birzer Funeral Home, Lyons. The family suggests wearing K-State Wildcat attire to the service.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Birzer Funeral Home
214 West Ave. South
Lyons, KS 67554
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Aug. 19, 2025

08/18/2025

Micah Rosenberg

LAWRENCE — Micah Rosenberg, 39, of Lawrence, Kan., died on Aug. 12th, 2025.
Micah is survived by his mother Debra; brother Shawn; and sister Amber Todd. He was preceded in death by his father Mark.
There will be no service. Memorials are suggested to the Lawrence Humane Society, in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana Street, Lawrence, Kansas 66044. www.rumsey-yost.com.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home
601 Indiana Street
Lawrence, KS 66044
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Aug. 19, 2025

08/18/2025

Robert Aaron Thacker ‘Bob’ 1952 - 2025

RUSSELL — Robert Aaron Thacker, (Bob) 73, of Russell, Kan., died on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, at Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kan.
Robert was born on Jan. 30, 1952, in Russell, Kan., the son of Elmer and Ethel (Reichard) Thacker. He grew up in Paradise, Kan., and graduated from Luray High School in the class of 1970. He was united in marriage to Janet Lynn Baral on April 19, 1971, in Hays, Kan. Together, they were blessed with three children, son Schon and twin daughters Tavi and Chastity. Over the years, the family lived in the Texas Panhandle and Lawrence, Kan., before settling back in Russell. Janet preceded him in death on Dec. 19, 2009. Robert found love a second time and married Donna Harmon on Sept. 23, 2010.
Born a farm boy, Robert carried those roots of grit and determination into his adult life. He built a long career as a highly respected and sought-after truck driver, working both in the oilfield and over the road. Known for his intelligence, intuition, and steady hand behind the wheel, he earned admiration from everyone who worked alongside him. Robert loved Bud Light, the Kansas City Chiefs, Harley-Davidson Motorcycles, hunting, fishing, camping, traveling, shooting guns, music, (especially hearing his son Schon play guitar), and most importantly his family! He was witty and quick with a comeback, never met a stranger, and had a gift with words. A master storyteller, he could spin a tale so vivid you felt like you were right there with him. When words weren’t spoken, he often put pen to paper, writing poetry that revealed the depth of his heart. His stories, his humor, and his way with words will forever be remembered by those who loved him.
Surviving family include his wife Donna, of Russell, Kan.; son Schon Thacker and wife Mandi of Overland Park, Kan.; twin daughters Tavi Collins and husband Jason of Chesapeake, Va., and Chastity Thacker and significant other Dustin Stiles of Russell, Kan.; sister-in-law Linda Harmon Gibbs of Russell, Kan.; and seven grandchildren, Kavion, Kerriana, Abrielle, Elijah, Bailee, Chevelle, and Aaron. He was preceded in death by his first wife Janet; his parents; and two sisters, Lona Weger and Gloria Becker.
In true Thacker fashion, Robert worked hard, loved fiercely, and always managed to have the last word!
There will be a celebration of life on Sept. 27th with details to come via his family.
Cremation has been selected by the family. A visitation to celebrate Bob’s life will be from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025, at the Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell, Kansas. Family will greet guests from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday evening at the mortuary. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kan., is in charge of the funeral service arrangements. There will be a celebration of life on Sept. 27th with details to come via his family!

Funeral arrangements provided by
Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary
610 N. Maple
Russell, KS 67665
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Aug. 19, 2025

08/18/2025

The Wetlands Waterpark closed for the summer on Aug. 10 but reopened last Saturday for the annual dog swim. By the end of the first hour, about 75 dogs brought their human companions to the pool for a morning of swimming and socializing. The $5 per dog admission will go toward improvements at the ci...

08/15/2025

Kevin Barnard

HAPPY JACK, Ariz. — Kevin Barnard, 68, passed away quietly in Happy Jack, Ariz. on April 28th.
Brother, friend, smoke spotter and mountain man. Longtime resident of the northern Arizona mountains that he loved.
Leaves behind brothers John and Pete; and sister Suzanne.
A ceremony and scattering of his ashes will be held on Oct. 3rd in the mountains surrounding Payson, Ariz.
Nothing but good memories of our brother and friend. He lived happy and content on his own terms. RIP Kevy.

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Aug. 16, 2025