Mary Lou Schenk, 91, passed away Jan. 29, 2026, surrounded by family in Great Bend, Kan. She was born on Jan. 9, 1935, in Great Bend, Kan., to Henry P. and Augusta (Hlavaty) Lichter. On Sept. 28, 1955, she married Arthur Joseph Schenk at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Olmitz. He passed on April 10, 1997.

A lifetime resident of Albert and Olmitz, Mary Lou worked as a cook at the Dominican Sisters of Peace. Prior to that, she was a grocery store owner in Albert and worked as a custodian at Trinity Lutheran Church. She was a member of St. Ann’s Catholic Church and Altar Society. Mary Lou loved spending time with her family.

Survivors include six children, Bryan Schenk (Angie) of Great Bend, Diane Renz (Kevin) of Great Bend, Jeffrey Schenk (Kerry) of Great Bend, Scott Schenk (Pam) of Lawrence, Mary Bitter (David) of Olmitz, and Barbara Jean Schenk of Hoisington; 16 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren with another on the way; brother, John Henry Lichter (Connie) of Great Bend; former daughter-in-law, Shannon Schenk of Topeka; and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband; parents; son, Timmy Schenk; daughter-in-law, Pam Schenk; and three sisters, Barbara Masterson (Terry), Beverly Zink (Don), and Imelda Riedel (John B.).

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, with Father Warren Stecklein presiding. Interment will follow at St. Ann’s Cemetery. Visitation will take place from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026, with family receiving guests from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., and Vigil with Rosary at 7 p.m., all at Bryant Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been designated to the Golden Belt Humane Society or Catholic Charities of Southwest Kansas, 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, Jan. 31, 2026