Rubi Paulina Perez, age 14, of Great Bend, Kansas, passed away on April 8, 2026, leaving behind a community filled with sorrow and love for a life taken far too soon. Born on October 13, 2011, in Great Bend to Raul and Araceli (Gonzalez) Perez, Rubi was a bright and cherished presence whose impact reached far beyond her years.
An eighth-grade student at Great Bend Middle School, Rubi was known as a standout among her peers and teachers. She approached life with positivity, kindness, and a genuine warmth that made everyone feel welcome. Her radiant smile and uplifting spirit were constants in the lives of those who knew her, and she had a natural ability to bring joy to others.
Rubi was also an exceptional athlete who excelled in track, volleyball, and basketball. Her determination, teamwork, and passion for sports reflected her energetic and driven personality. Beyond athletics, she had a love for makeup and creativity, often expressing herself through her unique sense of style while enhancing her natural beauty.
She is lovingly remembered by her parents; her brothers, Mateo and Alberto Perez; her grandparents, Humberto and Gloria Gonzalez, Raul Perez Sr., and Gloria Gonzalez; her aunts and uncles; her cousins; and the many friends whose lives she touched. She was preceded in death by her grandmother, Maria Perez.
Rubi’s legacy will live on through her kindness, her joyful spirit, and the love she shared so freely with others. She will be deeply missed but never forgotten.
Visitation will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Great Bend, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 4:00 p.m. In her honor, the family kindly requests attendees wear white attire.
