1943-2026
Joyce Arlene Wapelhorst, 83, passed away May 28, 2026, surrounded by family at the University of Kansas Health Systems – Great Bend Campus, Great Bend, Kansas. She was born on January 14, 1943, in Timken, Kansas, to Frank and Jessie (Woods) Sell. On November 26, 1961, she married Daniel “Dan” Wapelhorst at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, in Great Bend, Kansas.
A lifetime area resident, Joyce worked at the Dominican Sisters of Peace for 25 years as a housekeeper. She was a member of Prince of Peace Parish and Altar Society, and a former member of the Eagles, where her and Dan enjoyed many Saturday night dances. Joyce enjoyed sewing - making blankets, cross stitching, and making dolls, doing jigsaw, crossword, or fill in puzzles, gardening, and spending time with her family.
Survivors include his husband of the home; three daughters, Kathy Wapelhorst (Doug Clark), Paula Stocker (Mark Winholtz), and Nancy Sawyer, all of Great Bend; eight grandchildren, Jeremy Bitter, Josh Bitter, Jason Bitter, Kaylee Keilman, Ryan Stocker, Sydni Zamarripa, Ally Paden, and Madi Sawyer; thirteen great grandchildren; two brothers, Frank Sell of Hutchinson and Jim Jensen of Valley Center; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She is proceeded in death by her father, Frank Sell; mother and stepfather, Jessie and Arno Jensen.; son, Frank Joseph Wapelhorst; three brothers, Robert Jensen, Gary Jensen, and Rodney Jensen; and four sister, Georgianna Jensen, Carole Malone, Janis Reed, and Suzanne Gaschler.
Cremation has taken place. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, with Father Prakash Kola presiding. Inurnment will follow at a later date. Visitation will be held from noon to 8:00 p.m. Monday, June 1, 2026, with Altar Society Rosary at 4:00 p.m., family receiving guests from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., and Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m., all at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorials have been designated to Joyce Wapelhorst Expense Fund, in care of Bryant Funeral Home, 1425 Patton Rd., Great Bend, KS 67530.
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