Brent Wayne Nemechek
Brent Wayne Nemechek, 74, of Garden City, passed away on September 7, 2024.
Born on July 3, 1950, in Tribune, Brent was the son of Bernard and Joyce Nemechek. He graduated from Greeley County School in Tribune in 1968 and earned his degree from Fort Hays State University in 1972. On May 22, 1971, he married Bethany Eaton, and together they enjoyed 53 years of marriage, raising two children, Amy and Nick.
Brent, a quiet jokester, loved to bring laughter to those around him. His playful nature was evident in the many ways he enjoyed teasing his family, such as his favorite prank of squealing into the garage as fast as he could, only stopping inches from the back wall—a moment that always caused many gasps, laughter from the kids, but left Beth not thinking it was that funny.
Brent was a devoted father and grandfather, and he was known for his loving and creative nicknames for his family. His children and grandchildren were affectionately known as Vern, Doug-nuts, Princess, Rye-dog, Haydo the Tomato, Harpster, and Little Stinks. These endearing names were a reflection of his deep love and the special bond he shared with each of them.
Brent spent many enjoyable hours fishing with his friend Jack, finding peace and camaraderie by the water. He also had an appreciation for a good bourbon and water, often enjoying a glass in the company of family and friends. Brent’s legacy is one of joy, laughter, and deep affection for his family. His playful spirit will be remembered fondly by all who knew him. He will be greatly missed, but his memory will live on in the hearts of those who loved him.
He is survived by his wife, Bethany Nemechek; his children, Amy (Pete) Michalczyk of Parker, Colorado, and Nick (Jenifer) Nemechek of Garden City; his grandchildren, Addison, Rylee, Hayden, Harper, and Hadley; his sister, Trudy (John) Thornburn of Buffalo, Wyoming; his brother, Blake (Carmelle) Nemechek of Colorado Springs; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Bernard and Joyce Nemechek.
A celebration of life will be held at Valley View Cemetery in Garden City at 11:00 AM CST on Friday, September 20, 2024.
Memorials contributions are suggested to St. Catherine Hospice of Garden City in Brent’s honor.
OBITUARIES
Derek Justin Smith
Son, even though you didn’t make it to the end of our story, we will always have the corner folded down on your page because it was one of our favorites. - Dad and Mom With heavy hearts and the world becoming quieter and dimmer, we mourn the traumatic and heartbreaking... [More]
Venita Fankhauser
Venita Fankhauser (née Stewart), aged 89, passed away peacefully on March 4, 2026, in Meridian, Idaho. Born on September 3, 1936, in Littlefield, Texas, Venita lived a life filled with love, dedication, and community. Venita met the love of her life, Paul Fankhauser,... [More]
Catherine Ann Wilson
Catherine Ann Wilson, 83, passed away Friday, February 20, 2026, at the Greeley County Hospital, surrounded by her loving family. Ann was born on Easter Sunday, April 5, 1942, in Okmulgee, Okla., to Clarence and Margaret (St. Clair) Ogle, Jr. She grew up in Rock Springs, Wyo.... [More]
Carl Eugene Le Blanc
Carl Eugene Le Blanc, age 74, passed away Sunday, February 22, 2026, at St. Catherine’s Hospital in Garden City. He was born in La Junta, Colo., on November 9, 1951, to Rudy and Velma McDowell Le Blanc. They moved to Tribune in the early 60s, and Carl continued to call... [More]
Jaqualine “Jackie” Smith
Jaqualine “Jackie” Smith passed away on December 9, 2025. Jackie was born May 20, 1937, in Salina. She was one of eight children born to Clyde and Ruth (Linkletter) Weckel. She graduated from Salina Central High School in 1955. Jackie married... [More]
Ethel D. Kuder
Ethel D. Kuder, age 87, passed away Friday, February 20, 2026, at the Greeley County Hospital in Tribune. She was born on December 27, 1938, in Sullivan, Missouri, to George Washington and Sarah Anna Strothcamp Sons. She moved to Tribune in 1947 from Pacific, Missouri.... [More]
Graveside Services scheduled for Carl LeBlanc
Carl LeBlanc passed away on Sunday, February 22, 2026, in Garden City. He was born on November 9, 1951, in La Junta, Colo. Graveside services have been scheduled Saturday, February 28, at 2 p.m. at the Greeley County Cemetery in Tribune. The Masonic Lodge of Sharon... [More]
Celebration of Life scheduled for Derek Smith
A celebration of life for Derek Justin Smith will be held on Saturday, June 6, at 10:30 a.m. at the Presbyterian Church at 821 Second Street in Tribune. Derek was born on February 17, 1973, in Tribune and passed away on February 6, 2026, in Horace. Memorial donations... [More]
More Obituaries
- Darrell Piper
- Daryl Eugene Miller
- Graicy Liv Platt
- Opal M. Bare
- Stanley Raymond “Stan” Slaven
- Robert “Eddie” Goodrum
- Paul S. “JR” Woolfolk, Jr.
- David “Dave” A Mitchell
SPORTS
Mangan breaks one free throw record, ties second
Junior Braxon Mangan broke the record for the percentage of free throws made in a season. He made 88.57% of his free throws, making 93 of 105 in the 2025-2026 season. This broke the previous records of 83% set by Shea Stewart (2000-2001 season) and Brett Crittenden (2004-2005... [More]
Four Jackrabbits named to Northwest Kansas All-League Teams
Photo caption: Gael Yanez, Jadence Stewart, Braxon Mangan, and Jamir Yanez were recognized with Northwest Kansas All-League Honors. Greeley County Jackrabbits Braxon Mangan, Jadence Stewart, Gael Yanez, and Jamir Yanez have been recognized with All-League Post Season... [More]
Lady Jackrabbits defeated by Longhorns to end season
Photo caption: The Lady Jackrabbits posed with the high school boys’ SportsCenter crew after their home win over the Kiowa County Mavericks. Photo by Sheryl Crotinger. The Lady Jackrabbits traveled to Jetmore on Monday, March 2, to take on the Hodgeman County Longhorns... [More]
Grubb places second, Reynolds places fourth at WaKeeney Powerlifting Meet
Photo caption: Some of the Greeley County lifters participating in Saturday’s meet were (from left to right) Truett Young, Yoni Gutierrez, Jeff Heine, Rowdy Grubb, and Luke Grubb. Coach Austin Coffman has his back to the camera. Photo by Ashley Grubb. Greeley County Schools... [More]
Basketball Memories
Ryleigh Gooch, the fourth-grade daughter of Head Coach Josh Gooch and Courtney Gooch, sang the National Anthem before Monday evening’s home game against the Ness City Eagles. All photos by Sheryl Crotinger.
Jackrabbits defeat Eagles, fall to Lancers to end season
Photo caption: Rowdy Grubb defends a Spearville Lancer during Saturday’s sub-state game. Photo by Sheryl Crotinger. The Tribune Jackrabbits hosted the Ness City Eagles on Monday, February 23, in the first round of substate play. The Jackrabbits went into... [More]
Lady Jackrabbits defeat Kiowa County to advance to next round of sub-state play
Photo caption: Jadence Stewart, #14, looks to pass the ball inside to her teammates Charlize Shafer, #10, and Shaydan Howell. Photo by Sheryl Crotinger. The Lady Jackrabbits hosted the Kiowa County (Greensburg) Mavericks in the first round of the sub-state tournament on Tuesday,... [More]
Jackrabbits advance
Freshman Jamir Yanez had 23 points in Monday night’s hard-fought 65-63 substate win over the Ness City Eagles. The Jackrabbits will face Spearville on their home court at 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 28.
More Sports
- Lady Jackrabbits wrap regular season play with wins over Coyotes, Indians
- Jackrabbits finish regular season play with wins over Weskan, St. Francis
- Season ends for High School Jackrabbit wrestlers
- Powerlifters compete in virtual meet
- Jackrabbits defeat Oakley, Deerfield; fall to Syracuse
- Lady Jackrabbits fall to Plainsmen, Bulldogs; defeat Spartans
- Jackrabbits Kids’ Wrestling has successful season, compete in six tournaments
- Jackrabbit wrestlers continue to compete
NEWS
The Silo opens inside Thumper Hardware
Photo caption: Paul and Melissa Walk officially opened The Silo on Monday, March 26. It will offer a variety of self-serve items, including fountain drinks and soft-serve ice cream, from the back of Thumper Hardware. Photo by Sheryl Crotinger. The Silo, Paul and Melissa’s... [More]
Greeley County Health Services announces executive transition; Watts to continue as CFO
By GCHS Staff Since 2020, Trice Watts has served a dual role, operating as the organization’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Due to the significant growth of the organization, the responsibilities of both these executive roles have... [More]
Greeley County Health Services hosts annual Health Fair
Photo caption: Susan Wedel of Leoti has her blood drawn by GCHS lab technician Kellee Kleymann at last Thursday’s Health Fair. Greeley County Health Services hosted their annual health fairs Thursday and Friday, March 26 and 27, 2026. Just over 100 people took... [More]
CHS-United Plains Ag hosts Harvest for Hunger Fundraiser Lunch
Photo caption: Tina Pennell and Dirk Schneider, employees of CHS-United Plains Ag, assisted Dylan Steele at last Thursday’s Harvest for Hunger fundraiser meal.
Surface Transportation Board denies K&O-Union Pacific lease renewal in Kansas
Reprinted from Railway.Supply K&O-Union Pacific lease renewal was denied today. In an Sufrace Transportation Board decision, federal regulators said the lease appeared to discourage interchange. The affected carrier was Colorado Pacific Railroad. The request covered 165.98... [More]
GCHS launches DAISY Award program
Greeley County Health Services is proud to announce the launch of the DAISY Award program, an internationally recognized initiative that honors nurses who demonstrate extraordinary compassion, clinical excellence, and dedication to patient care. It was established by the DAISY... [More]
Unseasonably warm temperatures break more records
Photo caption: A large crowd of friends, family, and community members gathered in front of Greeley County Schools Saturday evening to watch the car promenade. It was warm and a bit windy during the event. Dry conditions continued across Greeley County as three new high records... [More]
Greeley County Health Services, Inc. Board of Directors minutes
Meeting Minutes from February 25, 2026 Administrative Conference Room Call to Order: Meeting called to order at 5:00 p.m. by Chris Dixon, Board Chair Attending: Chris Dixon, Ben Fisher, Mike Thon, David Schneider, Beth Aeschliman... [More]
More News
- Greeley County Historical Society awarded Heritage Trust Fund grant
- Weather Spotter class
- Greeley County Health Services Clinician Bangerter recognized as Kansanite Award Nominee
- Holy Week Services begin Monday
- Nutrien Ag adds bulk fertilizer at their Horace location
- Tribune, Horace receive grant funding for water technical assistance from the Kansas Water Office
- Greeley County Schools receives Waste Tire Products grant
- Wheatland Electric Co-op Members Will Vote by Mail for Trustees
OPINIONS
In Pursuit: Lesson #1 – From George Washington
Editor’s Note: The Kansas Press Association and Kansas Humanities have partnered to provide access to a series of essays honoring the 250th Anniversary of our nation. There is so much we can learn from the lessons of our past. In Pursuit is a new initiative from... [More]
FFA isn’t all sows, plows, and cows
Photo caption: Anna Marquardt, left, attended the ACC Conference in Lakin last week. Courtesy photo. FFA is growing tomorrow’s leaders, instilling confidence in members, and preparing members for career success and the ACC Conference did just that. ACC stands for authentic,... [More]
Letter to the Editor: Passing the Rotor Act is Plane Common Sense
Failure to pass it means another day, week, month that we put at risk the safety of all passengers who fly our skies. By U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) March 6, 2026 Crafted as a response to the deadly midair collision that occurred over the Potomac River in January... [More]
Letter to the Editor
Many of your readers may be interested to learn an artist of national reputation has painted a landscape entitled, Greeley County Summer. It may be viewed on the artist’s website: catherinefreshleyart.com. Click on prints, select paper or canvas and scroll until you find... [More]
Letter to the Editor: Trump promises handouts to farmers. Politicians promise development benefits. We pay for it all.
As has been widely speculated, Monday brought news that the Trump administration will provide several billion dollars in bailouts to farmers, with an emphasis on corn and soybean growers. Only a small portion may go to Kansas wheat farmers. Predictably, political dances followed... [More]
Letter to the Editor
After watching about three hours of the Supreme Court debate over tariffs, I learned something significant. As of Wednesday, November 5, tariffs amount to an 18% tax on all of us. On top of all the other taxes, that 18% shocked me. That number was shared in the Supreme Court... [More]
Right to repair
Right to Repair is one of the hottest topics not only in agriculture, but also in the US. In the bustling industrial economy, money-hungry companies are looking for any way to save a penny or pass on costs onto the consumer. This then accumulates into the Right... [More]
Letter to the Editor
Imagine yourself living on a homestead, a place you’ve called home for 71 years. Unknowingly, the groundwater beneath your farm, slowly disappearing until there’s none! Those of us who go to the sink for a glass of water, fill our washing machines to get a clean... [More]
More Opinions
- Letter to the Editor
- Letter to the editor: Political uncertainty shakes Kansas farmland values, and prosperity hangs in the balance
- From the Editor’s desk: Reflecting on the Symphony in the Flint Hills
- Letter to the Editor: With Trump and Musk driving U.S. policy, Kansas farmers have been played for suckers
- Letter to the Editor: Donald Trump is not our king
- Open letter to Kansas Sen. Roger Marshall
- Letter to the Editor - School bond issue
- Insight: Your vote counts
©2026 Greeley County Republican. Powered by Pluto Sites.