Karen Kay Smith, 81, passed away Aug. 10, 2023, at Kansas Heart Hospital, Wichita, Kan. She was born on Oct. 3, 1941, in Great Bend, Kan., to E.D. and Mary (Bagby) Wright. On Feb. 10, 1975, she married J.W. Smith in Brookport, Ill. He passed away on Sept. 3, 2007.

Karen grew up on the family farm near Seward. She showed Quarter Horses and was a talented athlete, playing basketball, tennis and fastpitch softball. She was a 1959 graduate of Great Bend High School then attended Kansas State University and McPherson College, where she was a member of the women’s basketball team. After college, she moved to Chicago, where she worked for an accounting firm and was a professional dog handler traveling the U.S. and Canada. It was during this time she meant her husband, J.W., who trained and raced Standardbred Horses. They would continue to train and race through out the U.S. until they moved from Paducah, Ky., to Great Bend, Kan., in 1984. 

Karen was a lifelong livestock producer and member of the American Boer Goat Association and American Rabbit Breeders Association. Karen was dedicated to her livestock plus supporting FFA and 4-H programs. She loved sports and was an avid K-State fan. Her true pride and joy were her daughter and grandchildren. She traveled many miles supporting them in all their activities, including stock shows, ballgames and swim meets. If you knew Karen, you knew of them, as she was sure to tell you of all their accomplishments. 

Survivors include a daughter, Lisa McBride and husband, Ryan, of Hooker, Okla.; and two grandchildren, Dakotah McBride and wife, Hannah, of Belton, Mo., and Sayde McBride. She was preceded in death by her husband, J.W. Smith; and parents, E.D. and Mary Wright.

Visitation will take place 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023, with the family receiving guests from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., all at Bryant Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023, at Bryant Funeral Home with Pastor Troy Miller presiding. Interment will follow at Great Bend Cemetery. Memorials have been designated to the Karen K. Smith Memorial Fund, 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, Aug. 15, 2023