Bonita Marie (Karst) Ney died on Friday, June 26, 2026, at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, KS. Bonita was born on December 7, 1943, in Great Bend, KS to Robert C. and Frieda B. (Mai) Karst. She grew up in the greater Galatia-Susank metropolitan area. She completed her primary education at the North Star country school, walking uphill both to and from class. Occasionally her dad allowed her to ride the pony to school, carrying a hot potato in her pocket to warm her hands in the winter. (We cannot attest to the accuracy of this story). She was bussed to Hoisington High School, played the saxophone in the school band and graduated with the class of 1961. She matriculated to Wichita Business School and was then employed by Farmers State Bank in Beaver, KS.
On August 31, 1963, she was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart Merlin K. Ney at St. John the Evangelist Catholic church in Hoisington, KS. As a Lutheran participating in a Latin Catholic mass, she hoped (in English) that the proceedings were valid and binding. The union was blessed with four sons, Bruce, Kevin, Merlin Jr., and Jason, but zero daughters (darn).
Living in Hays while Merlin finished college, Bonita worked at the Hays State Bank. They moved to Minneola, KS in 1964. There she lived in her first new home; it was 12 x 50 and had a hitch. After a few years they moved to Galatia, KS. 1969 saw the family move to Russell. In 1972 they purchased a farm south of Russell on the banks of the Smokey Hill River and lived there for over 40 years.
Bonita clerked at the Russell Livestock Commission Company for many years, becoming immune to the fragrance of beef on the hoof. She moved on to the Russell County Appraisers office where she manned a desk before retiring after 21 years (more/less). She served as Religious Education Coordinator for St. Mary’s Catholic Church for 23 years, retiring in May 2026.
She was a homemaker and dedicated boy-mom, a doting grandmother and great-grandmother. She excelled at being a room mother (an original helicopter parent) through the boys’ elementary school years, volunteered as a leader with both Jayhawk and Sunflower 4-H clubs, and was active in the Russell High School Booster Club. She was a former member of Rotary Club and Zeta Mu social sorority. She could butcher a chicken like nobody’s business. She was a good dancer. In the late 1970’s she found a pattern for a jumpsuit she liked and made it in at least four different fabrics. She was fond of wooden spoons and wire-handled fly swatters. If a fruit, vegetable, or meat was available, she canned or froze it. Bonita was rarely idle. She always put lotion on her face. A good vacuum cleaner was one of her pleasures in life. She sought opportunities to help others and relished the chance to lend a hand to anyone. She enjoyed being outdoors, from mowing the lawn in a halter top to working in the garden or tending her flowers. She was a creative cook and quickly adapted to the convenience of an air fryer and instant pot. She liked morning coffee, trips to a casino, and a glass of wine (or two).
She is already sorely missed.
She is survived by her husband of 62 years Merlin, her sons Bruce (Dillon Baird) Austin, TX; Kevin (Nate Thomas) Long Beach, CA; Merl (Brandy) and Jason (Nicale) all of Russell. Her sister Brenda (Frank) Riedl of Great Bend. Her grandchildren Shannon (Cale) Spencer of Topeka; Shelby Ney and Jacob Ney of Russell; Jaden Ney (Brigdon Russell) of Macksville; Cooper and Camry Ney of Russell. Great-grandchildren Barrett, Hayden, Porter, and Wrenley. And a host of extended family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents and in-laws Kenneth and Theresa Ney.
Celebration of the Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at St. Mary, Queen of Angels Catholic Church. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell. Vigil and Rosary will be held at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday evening at St. Mary, Queen of Angels Catholic Church. A graveside service will be held at 2:30 p.m., Wednesday at St. Catherine’s Catholic Cemetery in Dubuque.
In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established with St. Mary’s Catholic Church or the Russell County 4-H Development Fund. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who oversees these arrangements.