Beverly Jane Burhenn, 90, passed away Sept. 6, 2026, at University of Kansas Health System - Great Bend Campus, Great Bend, Kan. She was born March 16, 1936, in Kiowa, Kan., to Hubert E. and Mary Alice (Lowe) Courson. Beverly married Virgil Gerald Burhenn Nov. 23, 1953, in Great Bend. Virgil passed away June 3, 2025.
Beverly, was a longtime Stafford County farm wife and homemaker, moving to Great Bend in 2008. She served as the assistant to the district superintendent of Western Power for many years, retiring in 1980. Always active, Beverly bowled and not only assisted with the tennis program at Barton Community College, but she also played competitively holding the professional tennis ranking of 1500 in the WTA. However, her heart stayed true for the care and love she provided for her children and grandchildren.
Survivors include two sons, Phillip Burhenn of Great Bend, and Paul Burhenn and wife Mercy of Great Bend; daughter, Gayle Fanshier and husband Roger of Seward; nine grandchildren, Denton Burhenn, Ben Fanshier, Travis Burhenn, Andrew Fanshier, Jacob Fanshier, Trenton Burhenn, Brock Lawrence, Alisha Mawhirter, and Shelby Stites; 20 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Leila Watkins, of Stafford, Kan. Beverly was preceded in passing by four brothers, Marion, George, Bill, and Hubert, Jr. Courson; and by two sisters, Doris McKitrick and Jeanette Haas.
Funeral services will be 10 a.m., Thursday Sept. 10, 2026, at Bryant Funeral Home, with Pastor Robert Selvakumar presiding. Visitation will be noon until 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9, with family receiving friends from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., all at Bryant Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Eden Valley Cemetery, Seward, Kan. Memorials may be given to the St. John High School Athletic Department or Eden Valley Cemetery Association, in care of Bryant Funeral Home, 1425 Patton Rd., 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, Sept. 9, 2026