Misty Dawn Schlegel

Misty Dawn Schlegel, 45, of Great Bend, Kansas, formerly of Manhattan, died Thursday, January 4, 2024, at the Hays Medical Center.  She was a life-long resident of the area.

Misty was born on January 14, 1978, in Manhattan, the daughter of Matthew and Deborah (Phillips) Schlegel.  Misty was born with special needs but lived as normal a life as possible.  She graduated in 1997 from Manhattan High School and then attended Manhattan Technical College, studying computer science.

Misty was often seen working in the office of Big Lakes Developmental Center.  She was the office courier and delivered the mail.  She also volunteered doing typing and office work for the St. Luke Lutheran Church in Manhattan.

Misty had a large and social personality.  She loved activities at the Manhattan Park and Rec, she enjoyed watching movies and listening to music.  She loved being at the lake, being in the water, and fishing.  Misty was very involved in the virtual world of Second Life.  Her friends and experience connections with the aid of virtual reality expanded her world and allowed her to experience life that her limitations would never have allowed.  Misty drove her wheelchair everywhere starting at four years of age.  She loved the freedom that it gave her.

Misty is survived by her step-parents; Vicki and Neal Taylor, Westmoreland; her grandmother, Marjorie Schlegel, Manhattan; her brothers, Matthew Schlegel (Trisha Lucas), Michael Schlegel (Daniel Breeden), and Mason Schlegel (Alysha), all of Manhattan, Krista Schwant (Corey), Westmoreland; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.  She was preceded in death by her birth parents, her siblings, Nathan, Quentin, Lindsey.

Misty’s family would like to acknowledge and thank the many devoted caretakers that made Misty’s life better.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am, Thursday, January 11, 2024, at Campanella and Stewart Funeral Home in Wamego.  Reverend Patricia Cassinelli will be officiating.  Burial will follow in Sunset Cemetery in Manhattan.  Misty will lie-in-state, at the funeral home, on Wednesday, beginning at 3:00 pm. A rosary prayer service will be held at 5:30 pm, and the family will greet friends from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm. They suggest memorial contributions to the Kansas Special Olympics, and those may be sent in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be made at www.campanellastewart.com.