Thomas “Tom” Lewis Feist, 85, passed away Dec. 25, 2024, at Ellinwood District Hospital in Ellinwood, Kan. He was born Aug. 30, 1939, in Great Bend to Leon and Anna (Bieberle) Feist.

Thomas married Marie Staudinger Oct. 19, 1963, in Dubuque. He worked for many years as a butcher for Theis Packing Plant. During the winters, he would drive truck for Brackeen Line Cleaning. He did not have idle hands and was a hard-working farmer. If he needed a tool or machine to get the job done, he would fabricate it himself. Tom previously attended Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Ellinwood then was a member of Prince of Peace at St. Patrick Catholic Church. He was also a member of Knights of Columbus Council #862. 

Survivors include his beloved wife of 61 years, Marie Feist; children, Mark Feist of Dorrance; David Feist and his wife Kerry of Aurora, Colo., Steve Feist and his wife Sheila of Great Bend, Lisa Schroeder of Great Bend, Curtis Feist and his wife Jodi of Salina; sisters, Carol Hickel and her husband Ken of Great Bend, Connie Wilcoxen and her husband Walt of Gainesville, Texas, Mary Sleppey of Abilene, Texas; brother, Gene Feist and his wife Doris of Claflin; 16 grandchildren; ten great grandchildren; and sister in law, Linda Feist Steiner. He was preceded in death by son, Paul Feist; daughter, Brenda Williams; brother, Franklin Feist; sister, Therese Feist; and brother in law, John Sleppey.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, Dec. 30, 2024, at St. Patrick Catholic Church with Father Prakash Kola and Father Terrance Klein presiding. Interment will follow at Great Bend Cemetery. Visitation will be held at Bryant Funeral Home from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 29, with a Knights of Columbus Rosary and Vigil at 7 p.m. Memorials have been designated to Prince of Peace Parish, 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, Dec. 28, 2024