Emma Catherine Brungardt

Emma Catherine Brungardt, 19, Blue Rapids, KS, died unexpectedly October 4, 2024, near Colby, KS, as a result of an automobile accident.

Visitation was from 4-8 p.m., Friday, October 11, at Kinsley Mortuary in Marysville.  The family received friends from 4-6 p.m.

A funeral service was held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 12 at the Blue Rapids school gymnasium at 509 Chestnut Street.  Pastor Joel Barber and Pastor Marc Williams officiated.  Kathleen FIncham and Matt Fincham were the musicians and music included "Ten Thousand Reasons", "Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)" and "Give Me Jesus."

The pallbearers were Cody Ridder, Chuck Asbury, Alan Gilchrist, Hank Parker and Scott Wieden.

The honorary pallbearers were the Colby Rodeo Team Coach, LeRoy Hayes, and the Colby Rodeo Team, Wesley King, Kaycee Clanton, Alaura Crockett, Lakoddah Downes, Aidan Gould, Kade Homm, Emma Krase, Skyler Mann, Ethan Miller, Payton Nelson, Brady Papay, Dali Reser, Clarysa Webber, Sarah Berst, Evan Bottini, Austin Dierking, Rylan Hays, Jenson Hoeme, Sadee Adamson, Sam Laska, Dakira Limon, Johnna Sowers, Jakeob Stewart and Emily Wilms.

Burial followed in Prospect Hill Cemetery.

Emma was born August 10, 2005, in Lincoln, NE to Michael and Holly (Goeckel) Brungardt.  She graduated from Valley Heights High School in 2023 and attended Colby Community College in Colby, KS where she majored in Equine Management and Production. Emma knew Christ and attended The Cowboy Country Church Pastored by J Marc Williams near Wamego, Kansas.

 Emma’s love for animals was present from the beginning and grew endlessly as she did. Starting with helping care for goats, chickens, and her bottle calf, Clover. Through participating in 4-H Emma’s dream of horses became a reality. In 2018 she participated in her first Wild Horse Mustang Challenge and continued in 2019 (Grand Champion), 2021(Grand Champion), and 2022 as well. In training and competing in these events Emma’s passion for rodeo was ignited. 

In high school Emma was the embodiment of school spirit. She would attend football games with her mustang, Guy, and speed across the field waving the school flag. When the sports teams would advance to state contest Emma would saddle up and run alongside the school bus with her flag to send them off. 

In order to help make her rodeo lifestyle possible Emma and her mother, Holly, created Emma’s Rodeo Rolls, a cinnamon roll fundraiser that became a staple in the local area. Emma and Holly would bake hundreds of rolls weekly, take orders, and travel about the community selling them. When away at college you would find Holly and Emma’s sister, Anna set up with smiles on their faces continuing to support her. 

Her hard work, determination, and dedication to the sport and lifestyle led her to success and numerous accomplishments including 2023 NCK Saddle Club Rodeo Queen, 2024 Miss Teen Rodeo Kansas, and she also received a scholarship to sign on as a member of the Colby Community College NIRA Rodeo team where she competed in goat tying, breakaway, team roping, and barrel racing. 

In these roles Emma was supported by her family, Wesley King, friends, teammates, and a community that stretched nationwide. Emma’s selfless, focused, and humble character made her a great leader. She would visit local libraries to read to the children and teach them about Rodeo and that anyone can reach their goals with hard work and a positive attitude. Her effervescence, generosity, and kindness were electrifying. She was an inspiration and encouraged everyone to chase their dreams, no matter what they were, with as much enthusiasm and optimism as she did. 

Emma is survived by her parents Michael and Holly Brungardt, Blue Rapids; partner, Wesley King; siblings, Elizabeth Grate (Laurence), Heather Mitchell (Joshua), William Moore, Sophie Simmet, and Anna Brungardt; grandparents, Timothy and Catherine Gastmann, Jerry Goeckel, Arthur and Frances Davenport, and Melvin Brungardt; and nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Emma is preceded in death by her brother Joseph Brungardt. 

In lieu of flowers a fund has been established to help Emma's family with expenses.  A crowd funding option is available below her obituary at www.kinsleymortuary.com or contributions may be sent to: Michael and/or Holly Brungardt, C/O Kinsley Mortuary, P.O. Box 147, Marysville, KS 66508.