SALINA - Rhonda Lou Blazek, 73, died July 15, 2021, at her home in Salina, Kansas.  She was born November 17, 1947, in Glendale, Cal., the daughter of Chester H. and Anna Louise (Wray) Smith.

On May 21, 1966, she married Edward LeRoy Blazek in Dubuque, Kansas. They later divorced, and remarried May 21, 1989.  He preceded her in death on October 14, 2005.

A lifetime resident of Hoisington, Rhonda was a long time Hoisington E.M.S. director, also being employed by Essex, Albert Co-op, Fuller Brush and the Women’s Recovery Center.  She enjoyed gardening, reading, tinkering with computers, and above all, time spent with grandchildren.

She is survived by: a son, Eric Blazek and wife Kristy of Hoisington; and a daughter, Chrystie Blazek and husband Rob Teschke of Salina; two brothers, Randy Smith of Great Bend, and Ron Smith and wife Christina of Hoisington; 10 grandchildren, Austin LaViolette, Nathan LaViolette, Ryan Meade, Shannon Meade, Steven Mickle, Karissa Wagner, Kelsea Wagner, Kaleb Blazek, Brady Blazek and Ali Jo Blazek; and 17 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Chet and Louise Smith, husband, Ed, an infant son, Paul Lee Blazek, and son, Aaron Lee Blazek.

Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday, July 23, 2021, with the family receiving friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home.  Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, July 24, 2021, at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home Chapel, with Pastor Don Fisher presiding.  Burial will follow in Hoisington City Cemetery. 

Memorials may be made to the Hoisington E.M.S. or GPS Kids Club, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS  67544.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home

415 N. Main

Hoisington, KS 67544

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, July 18, 2021