Laura Jane Reiser, 96, passed away Sept. 26, 2025, surrounded by loved ones, in Great Bend, Kan. Laura was born in Timken to Martin and Emma (Chlumsky) Dolezal on Nov. 22, 1928.

Laura married Elmer Reiser on May 16, 1950, in Great Bend, Kan. and, for 71 years before his passing in 2021, they loved, laughed and danced their way through life. Soon after their marriage, Laura and Elmer headed to California where Elmer was stationed in the Navy. Being the adventurist couple, they bought some land in eastern Colorado and began farming. In a few years after moving back to Great Bend, Elmer and Laura started a very successful automobile repair business called Reiser Auto and Truck Service on west 10th Street and ran it until their retirement. Laura was a very talented lady; she was known as a great seamstress. Throughout her adult life she would be seen around town in new dresses, when asked where she bought them Laura would just proudly say, “I made it!”. She even took on the task of making her three daughters bridesmaid dresses for their weddings.

Laura was also gifted in painting, that passion and gift came from her mother letting her paint the linoleum floors in the old farmhouse as a young girl. Her mother allowed her to use her imagination in that quest. Laura was well known for constructing bird houses made of hollowed out gourds and painting many types of birds, Halloween and Christmas themes on them and selling them at stores throughout Kansas. She also painted all types of paintings from abstract to southwestern themes to mountain scenery.

Laura enjoyed traveling with her husband, brother and sister-in-law. Together they had traveled from coast to coast visiting all but a couple of states in the United States. Laura was also musically inclined, she played the piano all her life, she was self-taught as a young girl, with little sheet music in sight. Laura enjoyed playing cards and buncos with her friends once a month. She and Elmer bowled in a mixed league for many years and took many trips throughout the nation to attend bowling tournaments. She was a beautiful lady inside and out and cherished her family and friends with her whole heart.

Laura is survived by one son Douglas Reiser (RoxAnn); two daughters Cathy Anderson (Randy) and Renee Buntain (Darren); and son-in-law David Huslig; six grandchildren, Amber Anderson, Rollie Anderson (Denise), Wyatt Huslig (Jessica Milsap) Kayci Huslig, Jordyn Southard (Kris) and Chase Buntain; five great grandchildren, Brooklyn Reynolds, Finnley Anderson, Clare Anderson, Callen Southard and Vivienne Southard. She was proceeded in death by her husband; parents; and one daughter Cindy Huslig; and one brother Ralph Dolezal.

Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, Sept. 29, 2025, with family greeting at 9:30 a.m., at Bryant Funeral Home with Father Amirtharajan Duraisamy presiding. Burial will follow at Great Bend Cemetery. Visitation is available from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, with an Alter Society Rosary at 4 p.m. Memorials have been designated to Shafer Art Gallery or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, in care of Bryant Funeral Home, 1425 Patton Rd., Great Bend, KS 67530. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed atwww.bryantfh.net.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Bryant Funeral Home

1425 Patton Road

Great Bend, KS   67530

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Sept. 27, 2025