Eula Beth Paden, 81, passed away May 11, 2025, surrounded by family at Hays Medical Center, Hays, Kan. She was born on Dec. 22, 1943, in Trenton, Mo., to Ralph Henry and Eula Edythe (Kinzer) White. The family then spent some time in Hiawatha, Kan., before locating to Clay Center, Kan. Beth was a graduate of Clay Center High School in 1961 and Manhattan Christian College in 1965. On June 19, 1965, she married Don Paden in Manhattan, Kan.

A resident of Great Bend since 1977 coming from Plainville, Beth worked as a church secretary for Community Christian Church and then the First Church of the Nazarene. Along with that work, she was a para at Roosevelt Middle School and Riley Elementary in their respective ESL programs, and served as devotion chairperson for the Riley PTA. Beth was a Sunday school teacher at Community Christian Church and was active in the Golden Belt Diabetes Association. Above all else, she loved her family and taking care of them.

Survivors include her husband of the home; five children, Kathy Covert and husband Steve of South Lyon, Mich., David Paden and wife Amy of Great Bend, Bill Paden and wife Anne of Great Bend, Edy Calvert and husband Rick of Great Bend, and Shari Karst of Great Bend; 13 grandchildren, Mason Paden and wife Ally, Austin Young and wife Amber, Branden Paden and wife Taylor, Ethan Covert, Donovan Paden, Daulton Paden, Avery Covert, Adam Covert, Dylon Paden, Kyra Calvert, Cody Karst, R.J. Calvert, and Luke Karst; two great grandchildren, Isom Paden and Bentley Young, with two more on the way; four nephews; and a niece. She is preceded in death by her parents; grandchild, Brecklyn Paden; and brother, Dr. William E. White.

Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 20, 2025, with family receiving guests from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., all at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at First Christian Church with Reverend Joshua Leu presiding. Inurnment will follow at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been designated to USD 309 Nickerson-South Hutchinson to benefit the  William E. White Scholarship Trust or First Christian Church, in care of Bryant Funeral Home, 1425 Patton Rd., Great Bend, KS 67530. 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, May 13, 2025