Katherina Ann “Kat” Smades 1972 - 2020

Katherina Ann “Kat” Smades, 47, passed away Feb. 10, 2020, following a brief battle with cancer, at her home in Great Bend. Kat was born July 8, 1972, at Garden City.

Kat had been a Great Bend resident since 2007, coming from Leoti, Deerfield and Garden City. She served her country honorable in the U.S. Army. She was a member of the Catholic faith. Kat enjoyed shooting, hunting, watching movies and loved playing softball and volleyball.  

Survivors include, her companion of the home, Jesse R. Defenbaugh; and two daughters, Autumn Smades of Hays and Summer Smades of Leoti; and one brother, Louis Michael “Trea” Zellner, III. of Hugoton. She was preceded in death by her mother, Nancy (Heili) Zellner Gillock and step father, Myron Gillock. 

Funeral service will be 1:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14, 2020, at Bryant Funeral Home, with Father Don Bedore presiding. Interment will follow at Great Bend Cemetery North, Great Bend, with military honors conducted by American Legion Riders and Fort Riley Honor Guard. Visitation will be noon to 9 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 13, 2020, and 9 a.m. to service time, Friday, all at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be directed to Katherina “Kat” Smades Funeral Expense 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, Feb. 12, 2020