Theo M. Bear, 89, died January 30, 2011 at Cherry Village Nursing Home, Great Bend, Kansas. She was born September 4, 1921 at Lucas, Kansas, the daughter of Walter O. and Blanche B. (Barr) Nichols. She married Myrl Bear September 19, 1942 at Junction City, Kansas. He died December 7, 1996. A Great Bend resident since 1970, coming from Wichita, Kansas, Mrs. Bear was a bookkeeper at Great Bend Manor and elementary school teacher in Russell County. Mrs. Bear was a member of First United Methodist Church, American Legion Auxiliary, EHU, Russell County Teachers' Association, American Contract Bridge League, and Elks Ladies Auxiliary. Survivors include three sons: Charles Bear, Hampshire, Illinois; Roger Bear, Omaha, Nebraska; and Bill Bear and wife Vicki, Grove City, Ohio; two grandchildren: Ryan Bear and wife Gillian and Shannon Bear; and one great-grandchild, Mason Bear. She was preceded in death by two daughters: Carolyn Ann Bear and Bonnie Sue Bear; two brothers: L. K. "Nick" Nichols and H. Dean Nichols; and three sisters: Dorothy Paschal, Beth Logan, and Nyla Dinsmoor. Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, February 2, 2011 at Bryant Funeral Home with the Reverend Tom Sheldon officiating. Private family burial will be at a later time at the Russell City Cemetery, Russell, Kansas. Friends may call from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 1, 2011 at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorials are requested to First United Methodist Church or American Heart Association, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.