Richard Grant Elson, 87, died Feb. 2, 2015, at Ellinwood District Hospital.
Born Jan. 11, 1928, in Traer, he was the son of Alford Preston and Mary Maude (Brown) Elson. On Aug. 31, 1957, he married Hurmely Yvonne Peters in Oberlin. A resident of Great Bend for 33 years, coming from Jetmore, he was a farmer. He enjoyed working in the garden, cooking, watching soap operas, doing crossword puzzles, and playing bingo.  He also enjoyed wood working, making looms, wishing wells, and windmills.
Survivors include his wife, Hurmely Yvonne Elson, of the home; one son, Richard Eugene Elson and wife Nina of Great Bend; three daughters, Mary Elizabeth Anderson and husband Ron of Northglenn, Colo., Nancy Jo Pennington and husband Carlos of Garden City, and Bobbie Jo Elson of Great Bend; 10 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Betty Lou Barnett; two sisters; and one brother.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday at Bryant Funeral Home with Pastor David LeRoy officiating. Military rites will be conducted by the Fort Riley Honor Guard. There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place. Memorials are suggested to the Richard Grant Elson expense fund in care of the 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, Feb. 4, 2015