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Barbara Livingston (McClellan) 1930 - 2021
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Barbara Livingston (McClellan)

Barbara Livingston (McClellan) died Sept. 6, 2021, at the age of 91 in Kansas City, Mo., where she had been in the care of hospice after living for five months with her son and his wife in Leawood, Kan. She was born on Aug. 20, 1930, in Cottonwood Falls, Kan., the second child to John I. and Bessie Mae McClellan. 

She spent most of her childhood in Chase and Lyon counties, graduating from Emporia High School in 1948. While attending Emporia State Teachers College, she met Walter L. Smith, and they married in 1949. 

She and Walter raised their three children in Hoisington, Kan., where Walter was the superintendent of schools for 20 years. In the late 1968, Barbara finished her teaching degree at Fort Hays State University and became an English and Journalism teacher at Great Bend High School. After her marriage ended, she left Great Bend to teach at Arkansas City, Garden City and Marion, Kan. 

In 1974, she married Ted Livingston, also a teacher at Great Bend High School. Together they moved back to Chase County in 1978, where Barbara deepened her connection to her beloved Flint Hills. She and Ted, who became mayor of Cottonwood Falls, helped with efforts to create the Tall Grass Prairie National Preserve, where she eventually served as a volunteer. She also volunteered at the Roniger Museum in Cottonwood Falls. 

She loved to sew, quilt, read, walk her dog and watch movies. For most of her life, she loved being immersed in a good story, whether a novel, a short story or a movie. As a child, her favorite pastime was to climb the stairs to the Chase County Courthouse clock tower and sit by the round window overlooking Broadway while she read her current favorite book. 

Barbara was a gentle woman, remembered for her physical beauty and her kindness. “She was the Jackie Kennedy of Hoisington!” many people said. While married to Ted, she explored the Bahaí Faith, a spiritual practice he followed; she also was a member of the Presbyterian Church in Cottonwood Falls for many years.

She loved being with her family and friends, and she had many friends, but in her retirement years, especially, she loved nothing more than to spend time in the comfort of her longtime and beloved home in Cottonwood Falls with her dog; her husband, Ted, the love of her life; her crafts and hobbies and a good book or movie.

Barbara was preceded in death by her son, David, on Aug. 7 of this year; her husband, Ted Livingston; and her only sibling, Howard Bruce McClellan. She is survived by her daughters, Sondra Smith of Marble Falls, Texas, and Lynda Smith (Tom) of Hudson, New York; her grandchildren, Erin Smith of Overland Park, Brett Payton (Tara) of Overland Park, George Dowling (Tracey) of West Germany, where George is stationed in the Air Force; Alexis Dowling (Blayne) of Austin, Texas, and Dylan MacNamara of New York City; and six great-grandchildren, Keauana Smith, Patrick, Kate, Henry and Jack Payton and Adeline Mae Dreier. She will return to the deep earth of Chase County at the Bazaar Cemetery. A small graveside ceremony will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 12. If you would like to make a donation in her name, please donate to the National Humane Society or the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve.


Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Sept. 10, 2021

Theresa Lavona Dietz 1931 - 2025
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Theresa Lavona Dietz

Theresa Lavona Dietz, 93, passed away April 2, 2025, at River Bend Assisted Living, Great Bend, Kan. She was born Aug. 25, 1931, daughter of Wilhelm “Bill” and Olinda (Schwartzkopf) Popp. She was baptized and confirmed in the Evangelical Reformed Church, which was located 1 mile west of Hwy 281 and 2 miles north of the Galatia blacktop. Growing up on the family farm northwest of Susank, Theresa attended grade school at District #91, then graduated from Hoisington High School in 1949.

Emil S. Dietz and Theresa were married on Nov. 27, 1949, in Milberger, Kan. He preceded her in death on Dec. 12, 2017. Theresa worked alongside her husband on the farm. But her greatest accomplishment was being homemaker for her husband and five children. Her talent knew no bounds with baking, quilting, and gardening. She was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church and a 4-H Leader for the Fairview Scouts. 

Survivors include son, Ron Dietz (Debbie) of Dallas, Texas; daughters, Donna Wilhelm (Steve) of Galatia, Jane Steinert (Dennis) of Galatia, Laura Bryant (Daniel Wedermyer) of Rio Rancho, N.M., and Nancy Thiel (Mark) of Lenexa; grandchildren, Justin Steinert (Lauren), Kristi Engle (Cody), Todd Bryant (Cassie), Emilie Dietz and Mena Thiel; great grandchildren, Claire Engle, Gwen Engle, Kelsey Bryant, Kyler Bryant and Sophia Steinert; and sister, Shirley Maier. She was preceded in death her parents; beloved husband of 68 years, Emil; brother, Vernon Popp; sisters, Delores Dewald-Hanhardt, LoRee Dietz; and granddaughter, Andrea Bryant.

Funeral service will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, April 7, 2025, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Galatia with Reverend Wayne Baldyga presiding. Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery, Galatia. Visitation will take place from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday, April 6, 2025, at Bryant Funeral Home with family receiving guests from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Memorials have been designated to Fairview Cemetery or St. Paul Lutheran Church, in care of Bryant Funeral Home, 1425 Patton Road, Great Bend, KS 67530. 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

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, April 5, 2025