Irene Ruth Ledford, 93, died Dec. 11, 2016, at Cherry Village Nursing Home, Great Bend. Born Dec. 20, 1922, at Wheatland Township, Barton County, she was the daughter of Reinhold and Amalia "Mollie" (Beisel) Nuss. She married Albert M. "Bud" Jay Sept. 21, 1941. He died October 25, 1969. She then married Earl Ledford Aug. 15, 1970. He died May 24, 1987. A lifetime Barton County resident, Mrs. Ledford was a telephone operator for AT&T. She was a veteran of World War II, serving in the Women's Army Corps as a clerk typist.

Mrs. Ledford was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Trinity Ladies Society, Trinity Lutheran Church 55 Plus Group, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #3111 Auxiliary, all of Great Bend.

Survivors include one daughter, Renee Jolee Little of Great Bend; three sisters: Virginia Harmony of Great Bend, Ruby Manweiler of Hoisington, and Ruth Critser of WaKeeney; and one granddaughter, Marissa Nicole King. She was preceded in death by five brothers, Roland Nuss, Clarence Nuss, Wilbur Nuss, Gerhardt Nuss and Ray Nuss; and two sisters, Josephine Sutton and Berneice Hillman.