Carol Sue Behr, 85, passed away Dec. 14, 2023, at Via Christi St. Francis Hospital, Wichita. She was born Jan. 12, 1938, in Hoisington, Kan. to Esten and Blanche (Jennings) Stehwein. Carol married Robert Schneider Sept. 28, 1954. Robert passed away Aug. 31, 1957. Carol then married Jerome K. Behr July 31, 1958, at Hoisington, Kan. Jerome passed away March 27, 2007.

Carol, a long time Great Bend resident coming from Hoisington, was a devoted home daycare provider, giving love and care to countless children, all of whom became her family. She was a member of Prince of Peace Parish, Altar Society, V.F.W. Post 3111 Auxiliary, and enjoyed vegetable and flower gardening, reading, camping, Scrabble and puzzles, and was an avid sports fan. Never having idle hands, Carol always managed to find time to sew, crochet, knit, and was known especially for her cooking and baking, having an abundance of “secret” recipes. 

Survivors include her children, Rebecca Burgess of North Platte, Neb., Roberta Wood (Ernie) of Wichita, Ramona Schneider of Wichita, Tim Behr of Pratt, Kan., Michael Behr (Michelle) of Groton, Conn., Carol Hopkins of Great Bend, and Shawn Behr (Desa) of Great Bend; 10 grandchildren, Eric Schneider, Emily Burgess, Danielle Remus (Garod), Robert Barton, Elizabeth Finn (Casey), Melissa Phillips (Jeremy), Nathan Behr, Kristin Shell (Charlie), Jessica Corcoran, and Kya Behr; 16 great grandchildren, Michael Schneider, Casey Schneider, Treyton Nichols, Benjamin Nichols, Grace Remus, Madison Phillips, Atleigh Phillips, Michael Finn, Camden Finn, Evan Shell, Caleb Shell, Addison Shell, Kendall Shell, Cooper Ohnmacht, Ava Ohnmacht, and Remy Corcoran; one brother, Bill Stehwein (Juanita) of Pequannock, N.J.; and three sisters, Judy Linker of Enid, Okla., Jeannie Martin of Great Bend, and Julie Thorne (Harold) of Hoisington. She was preceded in death by three sisters, Barbara Vinyard, Betty Millard and Kitty Schremmer; brother, John Stehwein; and two sons-in-law, Greg Barton and Les Hopkins.

Visitation will be 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, at Bryant Funeral Home, with an Altar Society Rosary at 4 p.m. and the family present to receive friends from 5 to 6 p.m. Private funeral services will be held later in the week with Father Prakash Kola presiding. Interment will be at St. John Catholic Cemetery, Hoisington. Memorials may be given to Golden Belt Humane Society, in care of Bryant 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, Dec. 19, 2023