Blanche Opal Rea, 92, died May 17, at Woodhaven Care Center in Ellinwood. Born Oct. 30, 1921 in Hoisington, she was the daughter of Charlie “Chase” and Stazie (Novotny) Hejny. On Aug. 22, 1943 she married Kenneth “K.E.” Rea in Hoisington. He died on Nov. 14, 1998. A Great Bend resident since 2001, coming from The Ozarks, Mo., she also had resided in Otis; Hoisington; Sweetwater, Texas; Abilene, Texas; Mozambique, South Africa; Libya; North Africa; Denver, Colo.; London, Ky.; Tehran; Iran; and Vincennes, Ind. She was a self-employed cosmetologist. She devoted her life to her children and grandchildren.
Mrs. Rea was a member of the Masonic Lodge Auxiliary, a den mother for the Boy Scouts of America.
Survivors include two sons, Duane C. Rea and Leslie L. Rea and wife Jean, both of Great Bend; two daughters, Annetta J. Conley and husband Kenneth of Hazel Patch, Ky., and Carolyn G. Rea of Highlandville, Mo.; one sister, Pearl Rein of West Plains, Mo.; 12 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one brother, Merval Hejny.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. today at Bryant Funeral Home with the Rev. Joshua Leu officiating. Burial will be at the Great Bend Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Golden Belt Humane Society or Alzheimer’s Association, in care of the funeral home., 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, May 20, 2014