Dorothy Nell Piland, 91, passed away July 25, 2024, at Via Christ St. Francis, Wichita, Kan. She was born October 9, 1932, in Bailey County, Texas, to Tommie and Ola (Tucker) Thomas. Dorothy married Guy M. Knipe on July 30, 1951, and were later divorced. She then married Clarence Piland, Jr., on June 8, 1974, in Great Bend. Clarence died Aug. 17, 1984.
Dorothy, a long-time resident of Great Bend, had been a bookkeeper for Piland Unit Repair alongside her late husband Clarence, but found the most joy from being a mom and homemaker. She was a member the First Southern Baptist Church, Great Bend Chamber of Commerce Beautification Committee, Golden Belt Community Concert Association Board, an integral part of Lake Barton Ladies Golf Association and the Great Bend Recreation Activity Center's exercise and swim classes and enjoyed flower gardening and the friendly fellowship of golf, cards and dominoes. Dorothy had a special gift of making and keeping friends during her entire lifetime and will be greatly missed. Above all, she was most passionate in her diligent geology efforts, planning and organizing the Thomas Family reunions for nearly 50 years.
Survivors include one son, Mike Knipe of Great Bend; one daughter, Debra Keil of Broken Arrow, Okla.; three grandchildren, Bret Keil, Brice Keil and wife Kasie, and Lacie Green and husband Nick; two great grandchildren, Gavin Green and Brynlee Keil; two brothers, Virgil Thomas of Ark. and Jerry Thomas of Texas. She was preceded in death by her husband Clarence; two brothers, Bud Thomas and Pete Thomas; and three sisters, Christine Pugh, Ruby Holladay and Dolly Richmon.
Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, August 29, 2024, at First Southern Baptist Church, Great Bend, with Pastor Tim Singleton presiding. Inurnment will follow at Great Bend Cemetery. Memorials may be given to First Southern Baptist Church or the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce Beautification Committee, in care of Bryant Funeral Home, 1425 Patton Rd., Great Bend, KS. 67530.