Leona Slankard, 101, passed away April 30, 2023, at Larskfield Place Healthcare Center in Wichita. She was born Dec. 14, 1921, in Rural Barton County near Susank, to George J. and Anna M. (Daubert) Maier. She married David Slankard, May 10, 1941, in Great Bend. He died Oct. 22, 1975. 

A long time Great Bend resident, Leona was a self employed housecleaner and she also did custodial work for Becker Homes. She also worked as a merchandiser at Walmart for several years. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and was active in the Ladies and Seniors Groups. Leona enjoyed cross stitching, doing crosswords and puzzles, taking long daily walks, but especially loved playing cards with her family and friends. 

Survivors include, her daughter, Carol Nix of Wichita; a granddaughter, Melissa Nix of Wichita; a step granddaughter, Rebekah Unruh and Delmar of Galva; two step great grandchildren, LaTisha Brown and Tyler Unruh; two step great great grandchildren; a sister, Eleanora Postlethwaite; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, David; an infant son, Thomas Slankard; two infant daughters, Georgia Slankard and Phyllis Jean Slankard; four brothers, David Maier, Solomon “Sam” Maier, Emil Maier and Edward Maier; four sisters, Hilda Jones, Alma Stewart, Martha Bender and Edna Nuss; and son-in-law Michael Nix. 

A Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, May 4, 2023, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 600 N Greenwich Rd., Wichita, KS 67206, with Reverend Daniel Myers presiding. Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m., Thursday, May 4, 2023, at Bryant Funeral Home, with family to receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. An additional Funeral service will be held at 2:30 p.m., Friday, May 5, 2023, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 2701 24th St., Great Bend, KS 67530, with Pastor Sharon Custer presiding. Interment will be in the Great Bend Cemetery, in Great Bend, Kan. Memorials have been designated to Trinity Lutheran Church of Great Bend or Holy Cross Lutheran Church of Wichita, 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, May 4, 2023