Theda Debes, 89, died Feb. 27, 2012, at Pawnee Valley Community Hospital in Larned. She was born Oct. 4, 1922, at Waurika, Okla., the daughter of Columbus Frederick and Willie Pearl (Glazner) Sparkman. Her father died when she was 6 years old. She was then raised by her mother and stepfather, Delbert Easter Elliot.

She married Irvin Martin Debes on Jan. 15, 1942, at Great Bend. He died Jan. 11, 2001.

A Great Bend resident since 1954, coming from Ellinwood, she was a bookkeeper.

Survivors include one son, Fred Debes and his wife Bev of Derby; a daughter-in-law, Naomi Debes of Littleton, Colo., a sister-in-law, Lou Sparkman of Hutchinson; a brother-in-law, Lesley Anderson of Denver, Colo.; four grandchildren, Kim Hindman of Littleton, Colo., Kerrie Martinez of Austin, Texas, Kristi Stevens of Larned and Kori Miller of Derby; 12 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one son, Johnny Lynn Debes; two brothers, Hurschel Sparkman and Carl Sparkman; and one sister, Louise Anderson.

Memorial service will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 2, at Bryant Funeral Home with Father Warren Stecklein officiating. Inurnment will be at Great Bend Cemetery. There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place. Memorial donations are suggested to Prince of Peace Parish, in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net.