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Kenny E. Smith I 1935 - 2020
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Alice Marie Walker 1938 - 2020
Published: Jun 18, 2020, 7:30 PM

HOUSTON, Texas — Kenny E. Smith I, age 84, passed away June 16, 2020 of natural causes at Hermann Memorial Greater Heights Hospital in Houston, Texas.

He was born Sept. 16, 1935 in Tulsa, Okla., the son of L.M. and Kathleen Smith.

He worked in the Central Kansas oil industry in the 60’s and 70’s. He was owner of K. Smith Service Tools.

On May 5, 1958 he married Dona Jean Deines. They later divorced. In 1973 he moved to Houston, Texas.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters; a brother; a daughter-in-law; and a grandson.

Survivors include daughter Sheila DeWald (Bob); sons Chuck Smith (Pam), Bobby Smith (Teresa, Kenny Smith II (Marti); eight grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

Cremation has taken place. Services is pending at a later date.


Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, June 19, 2020
Theresa Lavona Dietz 1931 - 2025
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Theresa Lavona Dietz
Published: Apr 3, 2025, 6:57 PM

Theresa Lavona Dietz, 93, passed away April 2, 2025, at River Bend Assisted Living, Great Bend, Kan. She was born Aug. 25, 1931, daughter of Wilhelm “Bill” and Olinda (Schwartzkopf) Popp. She was baptized and confirmed in the Evangelical Reformed Church, which was located 1 mile west of Hwy 281 and 2 miles north of the Galatia blacktop. Growing up on the family farm northwest of Susank, Theresa attended grade school at District #91, then graduated from Hoisington High School in 1949.

Emil S. Dietz and Theresa were married on Nov. 27, 1949, in Milberger, Kan. He preceded her in death on Dec. 12, 2017. Theresa worked alongside her husband on the farm. But her greatest accomplishment was being homemaker for her husband and five children. Her talent knew no bounds with baking, quilting, and gardening. She was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church and a 4-H Leader for the Fairview Scouts. 

Survivors include son, Ron Dietz (Debbie) of Dallas, Texas; daughters, Donna Wilhelm (Steve) of Galatia, Jane Steinert (Dennis) of Galatia, Laura Bryant (Daniel Wedermyer) of Rio Rancho, N.M., and Nancy Thiel (Mark) of Lenexa; grandchildren, Justin Steinert (Lauren), Kristi Engle (Cody), Todd Bryant (Cassie), Emilie Dietz and Mena Thiel; great grandchildren, Claire Engle, Gwen Engle, Kelsey Bryant, Kyler Bryant and Sophia Steinert; and sister, Shirley Maier. She was preceded in death her parents; beloved husband of 68 years, Emil; brother, Vernon Popp; sisters, Delores Dewald-Hanhardt, LoRee Dietz; and granddaughter, Andrea Bryant.

Funeral service will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, April 7, 2025, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Galatia with Reverend Wayne Baldyga presiding. Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery, Galatia. Visitation will take place from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday, April 6, 2025, at Bryant Funeral Home with family receiving guests from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Memorials have been designated to Fairview Cemetery or St. Paul Lutheran Church, in care of Bryant Funeral Home, 1425 Patton Road, Great Bend, KS 67530. 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, April 5, 2025