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Robert C. “Bob” Pivonka 1930 - 2020
Robert C. “Bob” Pivonka 1930 - 2020
Robert C. “Bob” Pivonka 1930 - 2020
Published: Dec 19, 2020, 8:51 PM

LARNED – Robert C. “Bob” Pivonka, 90, passed away December 18, 2020 at his home in Larned. 

He was born May 16, 1930 in Rozel, the son of John Jacob and Bessie Mabel Blackburn Pivonka.

He was a lifetime resident of Larned and worked for Everett Avery Accounting Firm for several years, then joined First National Bank with the firm of National Accounting. He later owned his own business as R.C. Pivonka Accounting. He served in the United States Navy during the Korean War from 1950-1954. He was a member of Larned United Methodist Church, United Methodist Men, Economic Development Board, Pawnee County Zoning Board, and Larned Kiwanis Club. He served as Larned Mayor for ten years; Larned City Council Member for Ward I; Treasurer for USD 495; Clerk, Treasurer, and Director for Larned Recreation Commission; and was a board member and Treasurer for Sunrise Inc.

On July 31, 1953 he married Geneva J. Phillips at Reno, Nevada; she survives.

Other survivors include: a son, John (Kim) Pivonka, Manassas, Virginia; two daughters, Jill (Mike) Yeager, Larned, Laurie Spencer, Muskogee, Oklahoma; a sister, Marjory Scheufler, Belpre; eleven grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two daughters, Janet Marie Pivonka and Carol Jean Stitt; a brother, John W. Pivonka; a great granddaughter, Olivia Henderson, and a great grandson, Sam Doherty.

Private family service will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 22, 2020 at Beckwith Mortuary Chapel, Larned with Pastor Tricia North presiding. Service will be viewable via Facebook Live at www.facebook.com/beckwithmortuary. Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday, December 21, 2020 at Beckwith Mortuary, with family present from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Public graveside service will be 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 22, 2020 at Larned Cemetery, Larned; burial will be with military graveside rites.

Memorials may be given to Larned United Methodist Church in care of Beckwith Mortuary, PO Box 477, Larned, Kansas 67550. Personal condolences may be left at www.beckwithmortuary.com.


Funeral arrangements provided by

Beckwith Mortuary

P.O. Box 477

Larned, KS 67550

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Dec. 20, 2020
Allen Lee Ukens 1933 - 2025
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Allen Lee Ukens
Published: Apr 10, 2025, 7:22 PM

Allen Lee Ukens, 91, passed away April 1, 2025, at Azria Health Woodhaven in Great Bend, Kan. He was born on Dec. 17, 1933, in Great Bend to Wesley and Ella C. (Petersen) Ukens. He attended a rural District 11 school near the family farm and graduated from Pawnee Rock High School. In 1963, he married Janet Carr in Great Bend, and they later divorced in 1987. 

Allen lived on the family farm near Pawnee Rock for most of his life until moving to Great Bend in 2018. He worked as a farmer and at Marlette Homes in his younger years. Later, he worked as an oil field roughneck. He retired from the Larned State Correctional Facility. He proudly served in the United States Marine Corps as a member of the Military Police, and was stationed in San Diego, Calif., and in Japan during the Korean Conflict. Because of this service, he participated in a Kansas Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. in 2014. Allen was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, American Legion Post #180, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and VFW Post 3111. Allen was a country boy and a cowboy at heart, loving classic country music, with his favorites including Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, and Alan Jackson. He always had a smile on his face, had a fun-loving sense of humor, and was pleasant to be around. 

Survivors include son, Daniel Ukens and his wife Colette of Ellinwood; daughter, Cathie McManaman and her husband Barry of Great Bend; grandchildren, Stacie Resner and her husband Matt of Ellinwood, Lexie Ukens of Ellinwood, Dena Hiss and her husband Matt of Great Bend, Brett McManaman and his wife Brittany of League City, Texas, Kelli McManaman of Kansas City, Mo.; great grandsons, William Resner, Noah Resner, Gage Ukens, Graham Hiss, Ethan Hiss, Owen Hiss; and sister, Beverly Juergensen of Great Bend. He was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Kenneth Ukens.

There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place. Funeral service will be held at 10 a.m., April 17, 2025, at Trinity Lutheran Church with Reverend Jay Welshonse presiding. Military honors will be presented by the Marine Honor Guard and American Legion Riders Post 180. Memorials have been designated to American Legion Post #180, in care of Bryant Funeral Home, 1425 Patton Rd., Great Bend, KS 67530. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net.


Funeral arrangements provided by

Bryant Funeral Home

1425 Patton Road

Great Bend, KS   67530

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, April 12, 2025