Kristen Elaine Eckels, 3 months, died August 17, 2009 at Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, Missouri. She was given the gift of life May 7, 2009 at Kansas City, Missouri, the daughter of William and Kimberly (Schlereth) Eckels. She was a lifetime resident of Great Bend, Kansas. Kristen was a member of Foundry Methodist Church, Great Bend. Survivors include her parents, Will and Kim Eckels, of the home; two sisters: Emily Eckels and Grace Eckels, both of the home; paternal grandparents, Ronald and Jan Eckels, Ness City, Kansas; maternal grandparents: Ken Dexter and wife, Ruth, Haven, Kansas; Shirley Canavan and husband, Michael, Montrose, Colorado; and Gerald Schlereth and wife, Deanna, Dodge City, Kansas; and great-grandparents: Robert Cress, Montrose, Colorado; and LaVeta Schlereth, Dodge City, Kansas. Funeral services will be at 1:00 p.m., Monday, August 24, 2009 at Foundry Methodist Church with the Reverend Dr. Kevin Baxter officiating. Graveside service will be at 4:15 p.m. at Ness City Cemetery, Ness City, Kansas. Friends may call from 3:00 to 9:00 p.m., Sunday, August 23, 2009 with the family receiving friends from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., and from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., Monday, August 24, 2009, at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorials are requested to Foundry Methodist Church, in care of the funeral home.