GREAT BEND - Martha Mettscher, age 86, was born on June 22, 1933, in Hutchinson, Kansas and passed away on January 4, 2020, at Great Bend Health and Rehab in Great Bend. Martha was the daughter of Walter Fahrney and Etta (Moats) Fahrney.  Martha lived in Hutchinson and Larned before moving to Great Bend.  Martha and Ivan Mettscher were united in marriage on June 25, 1950, and were long time residents of Great Bend. Martha was a secretary for USD 428 Great Bend High School and for Larned USD 495 before retiring. Martha was President of the National Association of Educational Office Professionals.   

Martha and Ivan loved spending their summers in Southfork, Colorado and participated in the building of the New Hope Church in Southfork. Martha’s hobby was reading.  

Martha is survived by daughter Vicky Dayton and husband Norman of Ellinwood; grandchildren Ryan Dayton of Great Bend and Eric Dayton and wife Nikki of Lawrence, and Randi Mettscher of Balmorhea, Texas; and great grandchildren Liam Ivan Dayton and Loryn Linn Dayton of Lawrence, Kansas.  Martha was preceded in death by her father, Walter Fahrney; mother, Etta Fahrney; husband, Ivan Mettscher; son, Randall Mettscher; brother, Kenneth Fahrney; and nephew, Mike Fahrney. 

Cremation has taken place so there will be no visitation. Memorial service will be at 11 a.m., Friday, January 10, 2020, at the First Church of the Nazarene, 4811 Broadway, Great Bend, Kansas with Pastors Josh and Amy Foster officiating. Memorials suggested to the First Church of the Nazarene for the Haiti Water Well Project, 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, Jan. 8, 2020