Karl Ronald Bechard

Karl Ronald Bechard, age 70, of rural Emmett, Kansas, passed away January 15, 2013. He was born July 9, 1942, in Pierre, South Dakota, to Alfred and Reita (Boal) Bechard, along with his twin sister Karen (Jim) Gilman. Karl attended school in Pierre and was a 1960 graduate of Presho High School. He attended Crowder College in Neosho, Missouri where he received training in waste water management. In 1970, Karl began working for Kansas Power & Light (Westar Energy) in Lawrence, Kansas and transferred to St. Marys, Kansas in 1977 where a new power plant, Jeffery Energy Center, was being built; he remained at Westar Energy until retirement in 2002. Karl was an avid hunter and enjoyed reloading, taking his grandchildren hunting, sponsoring and watching car races, and being outdoors. He was married and divorced and has four children. Survivors include his three daughters, Karen Jo (Doug) Gwin of Kearney, MO, Lorrie (Brian) Shreve of Avoca, NE, Joey (Justin) Jones of Elmwood, NE; three sisters, Karen (Jim) Gilman of Kennebec, SD; Beth (Charles) Oller, Vivian, SD; Lyn Emmons, Loveland, CO; six grandsons and one granddaughter. He is preceded in death by his daughter, Julie Cowdin, sister, JoAnn Laufenberg, his half-brother, Jerry Carlson and Pepper dog. Memorial Services will be held at 11:30 a.m., Monday, January 21, 2013 at Stewart Funeral Home in Wamego, Kansas; visitation will be held prior to the services at 11 a.m. with graveside services immediately following. A dinner will be served after the burial. The family would like to extend many thanks to the Sunflower Healthcare Hospice staff for their loving care of Karl. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Time Deer Hunting Program at Jeffery Energy Center and may be left in care of the Stewart Funeral Home, PO Box 48, Wamego, KS, 66547.