ALBERT — Paula Marie Storm, 64, passed away June 12, 2026, at Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, Wichita, Kan. She was born Nov. 11, 1961, in Topeka, the daughter of Leland and Joyce (Karst) Wegele. Paula married Steven John Storm Nov. 6, 1999, in Albert, Kan. Steve died May 23, 2026.

Paula, a 26-year resident of Albert coming from Otis, enjoyed gardening, canning and held a special fondness towards her four-legged critters. She was a former employee of Food-4-Less and owned and operated her flower shop, Vines and Designs, for over 25 years. It was through her artistic passion that she was able to create candles, custom gifts and floral arrangements that were nothing short of masterpieces.

Survivors include her mother, Joyce Wegele of Great Bend; one son, Mike (Michele) Gowans of Wichita; stepchildren, and Sam (Tara) Storm of Kearney, Neb., and Kelly (Derrick) Heuer of Manhattan, Kan.; one sister, Leann Wegele of Great Bend; one brother, Richard (Miya) Wegele of Pleasant View, Ariz.; four grandchildren, Roree Storm, Syrus Storm, Evelyn Heuer and Emerson Heuer; niece, Morgan (Dmitri) Whelan; nephew, Jackson Linenberg; and a great niece Penelope Whelan. Paula was preceded in passing by her husband, Steve; and her father, Leland.

Funeral services will be held 1:30 p.m., Thursday, June 18, 2026, at Bryant Funeral Home, Great Bend, with Pastor Larry Schumacher presiding. Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery, Galatia, Kan. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday, June 17, at Bryant Funeral Home, with the family present to receive friends from 6 to 7 p.m. Memorials may be given to the Golden Belt Humane Society or Fairview Cemetery Fund, in care of Bryant Funeral Home, 1425 Patton Rd., Great Bend, KS 67530. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Bryant Funeral Home

1425 Patton Road

Great Bend, KS 67530

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, June 16, 2026