Edna Weiss Klusener, of Great Bend, was born May 16, 1929, to Frank and Marie (Weiser) Weiss in Great Bend and returned home to heaven Aug. 16 at the age of 81. Edna played many parts on the stage of life; she was the obedient daughter of Frank and Marie Weiss, and she became the faithful wife of Richard D. Klusener on Sept. 15, 1948. Richard and Edna shared 49 beautiful years of marriage until her beloved husband passed away Sept. 3, 1997. Their marriage was blessed with three loving, loyal and caring children, Sharon Klusener-Alexander, San Diego, Calif., infant Linda Jo Klusener and Ricky L. Klusener, Great Bend.

While working as a dietitian at Central Kansas Medical Center, Edna balanced a career and raising children, all while making the family house a warm home. As a mother-in-law to Leon Alexander, San Diego, Edna was spunky and playful. As a grandmother to Troy Alexander and his wife Vera, Temecula, Calif., Stacee Alexander, San Diego, and Michelle Alexander, Kailua, Hawaii, she was caring, stern at times, loving and always made their birthdays special. Edna, also the great-grandmother of Grace and Lucas Alexander, had the pleasure of spending time with her great-grandchildren last month. Nothing made her happier than being surrounded by her family. She was preceded in death by an infant brother and two sisters, Irene Leon and Anna Weiss.

Edna had a green thumb and urtured a variety of fruits and vegetables in her back yard for many years. She was a talented seamstress, loved taking walks and caring for her little, furry dog, Buddy. She loved to bake! If she wasn’t baking a birthday cake, Edna was baking her famous banana nut bread from scratch. Edna loved deeply and was loved deeply. She laughed often and loved to joke. She taught each of us important life lessons. It was because of her that we are all better people. I know she would like to extend her thanks and appreciation to all of her family and friends who cared for her, who loved her and whom she loved and who laughed with her.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Bryant Funeral Home, Great Bend. Father Peter Fernandez will officiate. Burial will be in Great Bend Cemetery. Friends may call from 1 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Memorials are requested to the charity or organization of the donor’s choice 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

620-793-3525

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Aug. 20, 2010