Nettie Elizabeth Trost Bray

Nettie Elizabeth Trost Bray, 82, of Sterling, Kansas, passed away July 9, 2022, at the Sterling Village.
Nettie was born August 23, 1939, in Salem, Oregon, to Walter and Georgia (McLaress) Trost. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three younger brothers, Gerald, George and Thomas.  
Growing up years were spent on the family farm north of Concordia, Kan. Nettie was active in 4-H and helping on the farm. She attended Sibley country school and graduated from Concordia High School in the class of 1957. She worked at JC Penney in Concordia where her job included changing window displays. That’s where Nettie was spotted by her future beau and husband, Jack Bray, in 1959. They married September 26, 1959, after dating for only three months. Shortly after, they moved to Manhattan where Nettie assisted Jack in managing a rural gas station. Four years and three children later the family moved to Fowler, Kan., for another gas station opportunity. In June 1968, they moved a final time to Sterling where they had purchased Superbe Oil Co. In the community, Nettie served as a Sunday School teacher at the Methodist Church and a Girl Scout leader. During the 1971-72 school year, she attended Sidney’s Hairdressing College in Hutchinson earning her cosmetology license. She also worked for JC Penney in Lyons and People’s Savings and Loan in downtown Sterling.  
On April 9, 1979, Nettie suffered a major stroke and was hospitalized for a month in Wichita. Her spirit of independence and determination remained strong through a long rehabilitation and permanent disability on her right side. She was able to work alongside Jack at the Co-op Service Station for a number of years until their retirement in 2000. Signs of dementia became evident around 2015 and in 2017 Nettie and Jack sold their home and moved into one of the Sterling Manor cottages. Due to ill health they moved into the manor in October 2018 and Jack passed away unexpectedly in March 2019.  The Manor became Sterling Village and Nettie continued to live there until her passing.  
Nettie is survived by her three children and spouses, Cindy and Darryl Wittich, Mount Hope, Wendy and Steve Fiehler, Sterling, and Jeff and Kristen Bray, Penn Yan, N.Y. She is also survived by seven grandchildren and spouses: Chance and Sarah Fiehler, Stephanie and Robert Edgington, Jacob and Dakoda Fiehler, Wesley and Courtney Wittich, Kodi Fiehler, Tyler and Bethany Bray and Kelly Bray, and thirteen great-grandchildren. In addition, Nettie is survived by Jack’s sister and husband, Kathy and Gene Begnoche.  
Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 12, 2022, at Birzer Funeral Home, Sterling, with Dennis Corbett officiating. Burial will follow at the Sterling Community Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2:00 until 7:00 p.m. Monday, July 11, 2022, at Birzer Funeral Home, Sterling, with family present from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to either the Sterling Village (please designate: Ice Cream Machine replacement fund -- Nettie loved a soft serve cone!!) or to Kindred Hospice.