Mary Frances “Fritzie” Smith, 91, passed away June 9, 2024, at River Bend Assisted Living, Great Bend, Kan. She was born Dec. 11, 1932, in Larned, to William J. and Catherine Frances (Befort) Welsh. She married P.D. “Bob” Smith June, 13, 1953, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Great Bend. He preceded her, in death, on April 27, 2018.

Fritzie spent her life as a homemaker to her husband and children. She was a member of Prince of Peace Parish, Altar Society, and Daughters of Isabella. She loved to play a good game of bridge, dive into a book, watch old westerns, and loved to host friends and family with her amazing cooking skills.

Survivors include four sons, David Smith and wife JoAnn of Great Bend, Mark Smith and wife Dayna of Great Bend, Craig Smith and wife Kari of Great Bend, and Larry Smith and fiancée Sherrie of Wichita; one daughter, Liz Schartz and husband Kyle of Great Bend; brothers, Terry Welsh  and wife Madeline, Tom Welsh and wife Gayle, Kevin Welsh and wife Pollie; sisters; Rosann Safranek and Ellen Safranek and husband Bob; 16 grandchildren, Mickey Smith and wife Gina, Kevin Smith and wife April, Kelly Jones, Kristy Drewel and husband Tommy, Brett Smith and wife Michelle, Scott Smith and wife Jill, Kami Schmidt and husband Cody, Jace Smith and wife Sarah, Cole Smith and wife Katelyn, Kyler Smith and wife Amy, Allyson Smith, Kory Smith, Jeff Ruble and wife Jessica, Tim Ruble and wife Kelsie, Tonya Martinez and husband Matt, and Trey Schartz; 33 great grandchildren; and four great great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; infant son, Charles; brothers, James Welsh and Bill J. Welsh, Jr.; and grandson, Jon Smith and wife Shala.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 2:30 p.m. Friday, June 14, 2024, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, with Father Prakash Kola officiating. Interment will follow at Great Bend Cemetery, Great Bend. Visitation will be 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday, June 13, with an Altar Society Rosary at 4 p.m., and a Vigil at 7 p.m. all at Bryant Funeral Home. Additional visitation will be Friday, June 14, 2024, from 9 a.m. to noon. Memorial funds have been established with Prince of Peace Parish or River Bend Activity Fund., in care of Bryant Funeral Home, 1425 Patton Rd., 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, June 11, 2024