1936-2026
Donita Mae Keil, 89, passed away April 24, 2026, at River Bend Assisted Living, Great Bend, Kansas. She was born on September 1, 1936, in Russell, Kansas, to Dave and Ida (Voos) Galyardt. On October 10, 1954, she married LeRoy E. Keil in Russell, Kansas. He passed on October 8, 2007.
A resident of Great Bend since 1977, coming from Taft, California, Donita was a superb homemaker. She was a member of First Assembly of God (now Encounter Church), who was active in her faith starting with her roots at St. John Lutheran Church in Russell teaching Sunday school. She loved flowers and decorating, especially for all the different holidays.
Survivors include son, Jeremy Keil and wife Mandy of Wichita; three daughters, Jamie Keil and wife Ann Jambor of Wichita, Julie Peterson and husband Michael of Great Bend, and Joni Wintholz and husband Brad of Great Bend; grandchildren, Heidi Harrison and husband Nathan, Tessa Fryberger and husband Jacob, Cole Wintholz and wife Hannah, Kassidy Smith and husband Wyatt, Tori Keil, Aubree Keil, Trenton Peterson, Isaac Peterson, Melanie Peterson, Kimberly Peterson, and Ivy Peterson; great grandchildren, Kylie Freund, Keaton Wintholz, Karson Wintholz, Eethan Harrison, Aliyah Fryberger, Kade Fryberger, Evelyn Wintholz, Gemma Smith, Holland Smith, and Briar Smith; brother, Jerry Galyardt of La Jolla, California; sister, Vonnie Johnston of Fountain Valley, California; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; granddaughter, Nicole Smith; brother, Dave Galyardt; and sister, Betty Barnard.
Funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, May 1, 2026, at Encounter Church, with Pastor Dwight Dozier presiding. Interment will follow at Great Bend Cemetery. Visitation will take place from noon to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, April 30, 2026, with family receiving guests from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., all at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorials have been designated to Encounter Church, in care of Bryant Funeral Home, 1425 Patton Rd., Great Bend, KS 67530.
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