Lois D. Hart 1923 - 2009

SILVERCLIFFE, Colo. — Lois D. Hart, 86, died Oct. 24 at Parkview Hospital in Pueblo, Colo. Born March 14, 1923, in Pine Bluff, Ark., she was the daughter of Ezra and Effie Collier Strickler. She married Robert F. “Bob” Smith on Aug. 11, 1946, in St. John. He died May 17, 1985. On Aug. 18, 1992, she married Otis W. Hart in Great Bend. He died Oct. 11, 2006.

A resident of Great Bend for most of her life, coming from Radium, she taught school for several years in the one-room schoolhouse she went to school in, was a bookkeeper in Great Bend for 25 years before her retirement, and was a homemaker.

She was an avid card and game player, loving not only the competition, but the friends she played with. She loved to travel and see new and different things. She visited almost every state in the union, as well as Europe, New Zealand and, just last year, South America. At age 85 she walked over half of the ruins in the high Andes Mountains, at Macchu Picchu, Peru. Boating, skiing and just enjoying the water were some of the many pleasures she shared with her family and friends. Until her stroke just over a year ago, Lois was on the go, whether taking short trips or taking friends to out of town doctor’s appointments or delivering Meals on Wheels. She was known as someone who was always on the move, enjoying life and her many friends.

Moving to Colorado just under a year ago to be closer to her daughter and son-in-law, she said that looking out her window and seeing the mountains every day was a view she never tired of. Lois enjoyed life. Please celebrate her life with her family and friends.

Mrs. Hart was a member of the First Christian Church and the Joy Group in the church. She was a member of several bridge clubs in Great Bend.

Survivors include a daughter, Linda “Lin” Ward and her husband Jim of Westcliffe, Colo.; two stepdaughters, Nancy Nokes of Lee’s Summit, Mo., and Carol Butler and her husband C.W. of Great Bend; three stepsons, Dana Nokes of Lee’s Summit, Mo., Arlin Nokes and his wife Jyl of Great Bend and Larry Hart and his wife Sandy of Derby; seven grandchildren, Austin and Colby Nokes, Travis and Tracy Nokes, Adam Noties and Whitney Morehead and Lea and Ella Nokes; a sister, Wanita Morgan of St. Petersburg, Fla.; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a grandson, Brit Williams.

Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the First Christian Church in Great Bend with the Rev. William F. Johnson officiating. Burial will be at the Farmington Cemetery in Macksville. Friends may visit from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. today, with family receiving friends from 7 to 8 p.m., at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be sent for the First Christian Church Building Fund in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Bryant Funeral Home*
1425 Patton Road
Great Bend, KS 67530
620-793-3525
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Oct. 27, 2009