Shirley Mae Henning, 89, died peacefully on Feb. 24, 2025, at Vintage Park at Waterfront in Wichita, Kan. She was born Sept. 17, 1935, in Great Bend to Milton and Clara (Hayward) Koch. Shirley married William “Bill” F. Henning Aug. 14, 1955, in Great Bend. He preceded her in death on Sept. 6, 2015.

Shirley was a lifetime Great Bend resident. As a young mother, she was a stay-at-home mom who was active in her children’s activities and often the organizer. She was proud owner and operator of The Kitchen Cupboard from 1979 until 1989. Shirley was very involved with her church, First United Methodist, serving in whatever way she could. She loved to travel and had visited almost all 50 states over the course of a long series of camping adventures with her parents and cross-country road trips after retirement. Closer to home, she enjoyed making quilts and was a talented seamstress. She was a devoted grandmother who cherished spending time with her grandchildren, and she will be deeply missed by her family and friends.

Survivors include daughters, Holly Smith and her husband Lawrence of Wichita, Janne Rowe and her husband Greg of Wichita; grandchildren, Heather Feist (Evan), Shannon Pope (Mike), Evan Smith (Kate); great grandchildren, Brooklyn Feist, Cameron Feist, Hudson Pope, Kinsley Pope, Urban Smith, Josie Smith, and Russell Smith. She was preceded in death by her parents; granddaughter, Tess Smith; and brother, Bob Koch.

Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, March 7, 2025, at the Great Bend First United Methodist Church with Reverend Robert Selvakumar presiding. A private family burial will follow at Great Bend Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 1 p.m.to 8 p.m., Thursday, March 6, 2025, at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorials have been designated to First United Methodist Church or the Dementia Society of America, in care of Bryant Funeral Home, 1425 Patton Road, 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, March 1, 2025