Lillian D. Papay

GREAT BEND - Papay, Lillian D., 86, of Dimmitt, Texas formerly of Great Bend, KS, passed away, Sunday, November 23, 2008 in Dimmitt. Lillian was born June 24, 1922 to Gerd and Geneva Steincamp in Ripley, OK. She was a graduate of Ripley High School in Ripley, OK. She married Emit Papay on April 18, 1940 in Aurora, CO. He died on July 18, 1998. She was a telephone operator for Bell Telephone in Great Bend, KS. She was a Signal Corp. Operator during WWII in Pensacola, FL. She and her husband were owners of Central Transport Inc. for 25 years in Great Bend, KS. She was a member of the First Christian Church of Great Bend. She served as a Republican co-chairman for Barton County, she was Senator Bob Doles State Campaign Co-Chairperson; in 1988 she was the Republican National Convention Delegate for Kansas; in 1989 she was the Soroptimist Women of Distinction. Most recently she served as Mayor of Great Bend, KS. from 1997-1999. She was elected to the Kansas State Senate in 1992 and served through 1996. She is survived by her daughter Carol Lust and husband Rex of Dimmitt, TX. Three granddaughters, Rebecca Schroeder of McKinney, TX and Wendy Lust of Sunray, TX Nicole Lentz of Kansas City, KS. three grandsons, Cory Lust of Sunray, TX and Cameron Lust of Lubbock, TX and Brett Jarmer of Topeka, KS., One great granddaughter Sage Lust of Sunray, TX; two great grandsons Cray and Cutter Lust both of Sunray, TX. Two sisters, Martha Steincamp and Marilyn Shetlar both of Leawood, KS. A loving friend, Shellie Collins of Dimmitt, TX and a loving friend and caretaker Gloria Montoya of Dimmitt, TX. She is preceded in death by her husband Emit Papay and her parents, two infant sisters, three brothers, Harold, Charles and Robert Steincamp. Service 2 p.m. Friday, November 28, 2008, Bryant Funeral Home, Great Bend, Kansas, The Reverend William F. Johnson will officiate. Interment at Great Bend Cemetery, Great Bend, Kansas. Visitation Friday, November 28, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. to service time at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Hospice Cares of Dimmitt Or Susan G. Komen Foundation Or American Cancer Society in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net. Arrangements by Bryant Funeral Home 1425 Patton Road Great Bend, Kansas 67530.