Bernita Sramek Beesley

Bernita Imogene Sramek Beesley died on October 24, 2023, at Citizens Medical Center, Colby, KS. She was born July 29, 1923, in Rural Rawlins County to William F. and Lillie K. (Henkel) Burk. She attended three county grade schools: Mayflower, Lone Tree and Prairie Dog. She was a 1940 graduate of McDonald Rural High School and attended Fort Hays State College at Hays, Kansas, earning a teaching certificate and taught at Lone Tree Rural School.

She married Alfred Anthony Sramek on February 24, 1943. He preceded her in death on March 24, 1972 at Rawlins County Hospital. She later married Ray Gorden Beesley on January 29, 1983. He preceded her in death on June 16, 2002 in Quinter, KS.

She was a farm-wife, homemaker, mother and a community leader in 4-H Club, Farm Bureau association as a county chairman, District chairwoman, Vice chairman of State Farm Bureau women and State chairwomen. She also served eight years on the 10th District State board. She was a representative of the Agricultural Hall of Fame for NW Kansas. She was an active member of the Catholic Christian Mothers, Altar Society. She served as a Eucharistic minister and as a sacristan at the Long-term Care Home in Quinter for a number of years.

She was preceded in death by two husbands, parents, two sisters, Eilene Burk (stillborn) and Verna Poore; one brother William (Bill) Paul Burk, who was killed in service in 1950; Bill’s wife Viola, McPherson, KS; and daughter-in-law, Carol Ann Stewart Sramek in 2007.

Survivors include two daughters, Sharon Jo (Eugene) Schreiner, Mission, KS; Deborah Lynn (David) Henderson, Cabello, New Mexico; one son, Michael William (Shirlee) Sramek and, McDonald, KS. Other survivors include: 10 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren; and 2 great-great grandchildren. Three step-sons; Roger, Donald, and Phillip Beesley and wives plus many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Visitation is from 9-10:00 a.m., with a Rosary at 9:30 a.m., followed by the Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, October 28, 2023, at St. John Catholic Church, Rural Atwood, KS. Interment will take place in St. John Cemetery, Rural Atwood, KS. Memorials may be made to St. John Catholic Church and sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or condolences visit baalmannmortuary.com,