Margaret Jean Nething, 88, died Dec. 30 at Great Bend Regional Hospital. She was born June 21, 1923, at Great Bend, the daughter of Oscar Harmon and Della E. (Parker) Pierce. She married William M. Nething May 20, 1945, at Great Bend. He died Sept. 16, 1986. A lifetime resident of Great Bend, she was a switchboard operator for Bell Telephone during World War II, worked at Bayless Dry Cleaning, and was a home health aide.

Mrs. Nething was a member of First United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women, EHU, Girl Scout and Camp Fire leader, TOPS, Stephen Ministries, Boy Scout den mother, and Sunday school teacher.

Survivors include three sons, Thomas E. Nething and his wife Kyla of Firestone, Colo., Laurence L. Nething and his wife Geri of Larned, and Matt P. Nething and his wife Melody of Locust Grove, Ga.; one daughter, Julie D. Mauler and her husband Mike of Great Bend; one sister, V. Maxine Burks and her husband James P. of Longmont, Colo.; 20 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one infant son, Martin Nething.

Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 4, at First United Methodist Church in Great Bend with the Rev. Tom Sheldon officiating. Interment will be at the Great Bend Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., with the family receiving friends from 6-8 p.m., Tuesday at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to the American Heart Association or First United Methodist Church, in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net.