Bernard Richard “Bernie” Schenk, 91, died Jan. 4, 2016, at Clara Barton Hospital in Hoisington. He was born Oct. 15, 1924, at Olmitz, the son of William and Emily (Spitzka) Schenk. He married Mary Jo Riedel May 20, 1953, at St. Ann Catholic Church in Olmitz. They were residents of Olmitz for 36 years, moving to Great Bend in 1989. From 1951 to 1980, Mr. Schenk served as a rural mail carrier at Olmitz. Following his retirement from the postal service, he became Knights of Columbus Insurance Field Agent for the Western Kansas Agency, providing insurance needs to brother Knights for 15 years.
Mr. Schenk was a World War II United States Navy veteran, serving aboard the USS Leyte from 1946 to 1948. He was a member of St. Ann Catholic Church in Olmitz, until he moved to Great Bend and transferred his membership to St. Patrick Catholic Church. He was a member of Knights of Columbus Council No. 2100 in Olmitz, where he served as Grand Knight in 1957 and 1958, and was then appointed as District Deputy from 1961 to 1967. He was a life member of the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus Coronado Assembly. Mr. Schenk also served on the Barton County Farm Bureau board, was a member of the Thomas More Prep Parent-Teacher Association, and was treasurer for the USS Leyte Reunion Committee for 10 years. He was also a clerk for Pat Keenan Auction.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Jo Schenk, of the home; three sons, Richard Schenk and his wife Annie of Great Bend, Brother Mark Schenk, OFM Capuchin of Rome, Italy, and Greg Schenk and his wife Kim of Great Bend; one daughter, Denise Hunt and her husband Pat of Laguna Hills, Calif.; one brother, Harold Schenk of Great Bend; nine grandchildren, Allyce Hansford, Amanda Pfannenstiel, Briana Schenk, Matthew Schenk, Jessica Kelly, Sarah Smith, Theo Hunt, Tim Hunt and David Hunt; and four great-grandchildren, Kolter Pfannenstiel, Kimber Pfannenstiel, Colson Kelly and Emma Smith. He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Geralyn Schenk; two sisters, Christina Steiner and Magdalene Steiner; and three brothers, William Schenk, Edwin Schenk and Robert Schenk.
Vigil service with Knights of Columbus Rosary will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 7, at Bryant Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Great Bend. Burial will be at 2 p.m. Friday at St. Ann Cemetery in Olmitz. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to Capuchin Province of Mid-America or Holy Family School, 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
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Jan. 6, 2016