Martha T. Richards, 89, went to her heavenly home Sept. 29, 2011. She was born May 5, 1922, at Great Bend, and died at Ellinwood District Hospital in Ellinwood. She was the daughter of Delbert Lee and Minnie Emaline (Engleman) Tucker. She married Oscar Cline Richards on Oct. 14, 1950, at Great Bend. He died Jan. 30, 1993.

A lifetime Great Bend resident, Mrs. Richards graduated from York College at York, Neb., with a Bachelor of Science degree in Science in 1944. She also studied voice in college and was blessed with a beautiful operatic voice that was enjoyed by all who heard it. She worked at First National Bank for more than 50 years, retiring as a vice president.

Mount Pleasant Church, where she often sang and played the piano, was Martha’s church home throughout her life. She also enjoyed attending Faith Community Church.

Country life suited her and was a passion. Living on the family farm, working outside and feeding the cattle in the middle of winter were sources of tremendous joy and deep satisfaction.

Survivors include one daughter, Sara McDougall and her husband Barry of Sioux Falls, S.D.; one stepson, Ken Richards and his wife Susan of Arlington, Texas; one sister, Mary Lee Adams and her husband James F. of Great Bend; five grandchildren, Heather McDougall, Justin McDougall, Brad Richards, Doug Richards, and Karen Granger; one niece, Alice Butler-Smith; and eight great-grandchildren.

Martha was a gift to her family.

Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Faith Community Church in Great Bend with officiants Pastor Sandy Kennedy and Pastor Fred Kirkpatrick. Interment will be at the Great Bend Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3-9 p.m. Friday at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorial donations to Gideons International or Wounded Warrior Project may be made in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net.