Bertha Ruth Wheeler, 77, died June 3, 2011 at Great Bend Regional Hospital, Great Bend, Kansas. She was born July 28, 1933 at Austin, Minnesota, the daughter of David Quincy and Bertha Dahlquist Stephens. A long-time resident of Claflin, Kansas, she was a retired CNA at Woodhaven Care Center, Ellinwood, and a former owner of the Claflin Tavern. She was a member of St. John Episcopal Church, Great Bend. She loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and enjoyed crocheting. Survivors include her daughter, Helen Dunlap and husband, Vernon, Claflin; two sisters: Marion Stahl, Austin, Minnesota; and Florence Carroll, California; two grandchildren: Heather Dunlap Jimison and Matthew Dunlap and fiancee Kerstie Stumps, all of Claflin; and two great-grandchildren: Taylor Jimison and Tayln Dunlap, both of Claflin. She was preceded in death by her step-mother Helen Dorothy, two brothers, Lewain David Stephens and William "Bill" Stephens; one sister, Marguerite Earl; and one grandson, David Quincy Dunlap. Funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, June 7, 2011 at St. John Episcopal Church, Great Bend. Mother Phyllis Flory will officiate. Burial will be in Claflin Cemetery. Friends may call from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday, June 6, 2011, with the family receiving friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home; and from 9:00 a.m. to service time Tuesday at the church. Memorials are requested to St. John Episcopal Church, Claflin Ambulance Service, or Woodhaven Care Center, in care of the funeral home.