Bryant Funeral Home and Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home: Obituaries

Lois D. Hart, 86, died October 24, 2009 at Parkview Hospital, Pueblo, Colorado. She was born March 14, 1923 at Pine Bluff, Arkansas, the daughter of Ezra and Effie (Collier) Strickler. She married Robert F. "Bob" Smith August 11, 1946 at St. John, Kansas. He died May 17, 1985. She then married Chester R. "Chet" Nokes November 1, 1986 at Great Bend, Kansas. He died January 6, 1991. She then married Otis W. Hart August 18, 1992 at Great Bend. He died October 11, 2006. A homemaker, Mrs. Hart also taught school for several years in the one-room schoolhouse where she attended school. She was a bookkeeper in Great Bend for twenty-five years before her retirement. A resident of Great Bend most of her life, she came from Radium, Kansas.

Mrs. Hart was a member of First Christian Church and the Joy Group in the church. She was a member of several bridge clubs in Great Bend, and was an avid card and game player, loving not only the competition, but also the friends with whom she played. Mrs. Hart loved to travel and see new and different things. She visited almost every state in the union, as well as Europe and New Zealand. Last year she visited South America. At age 85, she walked over one-half of the ruin, in the high Andes Mountains at Macchu Picchu, Peru. Boating, skiing, and enjoying the water were some of the many pleasures she shared with her family and friends.

Until her stroke just over a year ago, she was on the go, whether taking short trips or taking friends to out-of-town doctor's appointments, or delivering Meals on Wheels. She was known as someone who was always on the move, enjoying life and her many friends. Moving to Colorado just under a year ago to be closer to her daughter and son-in-law, she said that she would never grow tired of looking out her window every day and seeing the mountains. Mrs. Hart enjoyed life. Please celebrate her life with her family and friends.

Survivors include one daughter, Linda "Lin" Ward and husband, Jim, Westcliffe, Colorado; two step-daughters: Nancy Nokes, Lee's Summit, Missouri; and Carol Butler and husband, C. W., Great Bend, Kansas; three step-sons: Dana Nokes, Lee's Summit, Missouri; Arlin Nokes and wife, Jyl, Great Bend, Kansas; and Larry Hart and wife, Sandy, Derby, Kansas; seven grandchildren: Austin and Colby Nokes, Travis and Tracy Nokes, Adam Noties, Whitney Morehead, and Amanda Hart; three great-grandchildren: Jack Morehead and Lea and Ella Nokes; one sister, Wanita Morgan, St. Petersburg, Florida; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by one grandson, Brit Williams.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, October 28, 2009 at First Christian Church. The Reverend William F. Johnson will officiate. Burial will be in Farmington Cemetery, Macksville, Kansas. Friends may call from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Tuesday, October 27, 2009, with the family receiving friends from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Bryant Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent for the First Christian Church Building Fund, in care of the funeral home.