Mary Caroline Bryant was born in rural Ellis County, KS, May 26, 1915, to the late Wenzel and Anna (Honas) Beer. She passed away Saturday, May 5, 2012, in the Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital in WaKeeney at the age of 96.


As a child, she attended Sunny Slope Rural School in Ellis County.

On August 17, 1942, Mary married Clarence Franklin Bryant. He passed away in May of 1973.


Mary was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church, the Altar Society, the Randall Reid VFW Auxiliary, and the Gold Coats, all in WaKeeney. She diligently worked as a senior companion for thirty-two years and took special joy in serving her friends in the Long Term Care. Mary also enjoyed quilting, gardening, and playing her drum in her spare time.


Those left to mourn her passing include a son, Clarence Bryant and wife, Donna, of Butler, PA; a son-in-law, Fred Eberhardt; six grandchildren, Tracy Bryant, Damon Bryant, Christina Defebaugh, Brian Eberhardt, Angela Harrison, Denise Chichester; ten great-grandchildren; and a brother, Bill Beer and wife, Martha, of WaKeeney.

A son, Charles Bryant; a daughter, Delores Eberhardt; a grandchild, Charlene Bryant; two brothers, Joseph and Ignatus Beer; and two sisters, Elizabeth Steckline and Thresia Aschenbrenner, preceded her in death.

Visitation will be at the Schmitt Funeral Home in WaKeeney, KS, Tuesday, May 8, 2012 beginning at 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM and Vigil Service starting at 7:00 PM.

Services will be 10:00 AM Wednesday, May 9, 2012 in Christ the King Catholic Church, WaKeeney, KS. Interment is in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery at Ellis, KS, following the funeral service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Senior Companions of Trego County or Christ the King (Parish Hall) and can be sent in care of Schmitt Funeral Home 336 N. 12th WaKeeney KS, 67672.