Kate Carroll, 82, passed away Jan. 29, 2026, at Hays Medical Center, in Hays, Kan. She was born Sept. 12, 1943, in Alamogordo, N.M. to Eliseo and Mary (Ochoa) Covarrubia. 

Kate moved to Great Bend in 1964. She worked very hard cleaning houses, serving as a crossing guard, and waitressing. She was a member of Prince of Peace at St. Rose Catholic Church. Her faith taught her to pray endlessly, and she was passionate about reading and studying the Bible. She served as an associate to the Dominican Sisters of Peace. 

Kate had a servant’s heart and loved to help others with cleaning or driving people to appointments. She served as an interpreter for the police department, sheriff’s department, and the hospital. She loved to volunteer her time for the Retired Senior Volunteer Program. She was a talented artist and drew, with courage, beautiful creations. Kate was gifted in calligraphy as well.

Survivors include her sons, Mike Herrman and his wife Melissa, Leo Herrman, John Herrman, all of Great Bend, and Andy Herrman and his wife Michelle of Odessa, Texas; sisters, Mary Ponce and Frances Torres of El Paso, Texas, Helen Briseno of Las Cruces, N.M.; brother, Manuel Covarrubia of San Antonio, Texas; 11 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Richard Covarrubia and Alex Covarrubia.

Graveside services will be held at 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Great Bend with Father Amir Duraisamy presiding. Visitation is available from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, with an Altar Society Rosary at 4 p.m. at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorials may be given to Kate Carroll Memorial Fund, in care of Bryant Funeral Home, 1425 Patton Road, Great Bend, KS.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Bryant Funeral Home

1425 Patton Road

Great Bend, KS  67530

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Feb. 3, 2026