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Karen Marie Hicks 1963 - 2019
Karen Marie Hicks  1963 - 2019
Karen Marie Hicks 1963 - 2019

Versailles, Mo. - Karen Marie Hicks, 56, died December 26, 2019, at her home in Versailles, Missouri. She was born February 4, 1963, in La Crosse, Kansas, the daughter of Raymond and Rita Mae (Kisner) Legleiter.

Karen spent her childhood in Hoisington, Kansas. She married Garry Kyle Hicks on July 5, 1983, in McKenzie, Tennessee, where they spent 32 years, before moving to Versailles, Missouri in March of 2019.

She is survived by her husband Garry Kyle Hicks, and daughters, Promise Marie Hicks of Versailles, MO, and Amberley Dawn Hicks of Gleason, TN; sister, Melissa Spires and husband Willie of Hoisington, three grandchildren, Jesse and James Barnhart, and Alexis Manness.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Rita Mae Brown and brother, Gordan Ray Legleiter.

Graveside service will be 1 p.m., Friday, January 3, 2019, at St. John Catholic Cemetery, Hoisington, with Pastor Mike Joiner presiding.

Memorials may be made to the Karen Hicks Funeral Expense Fund, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.


Funeral arrangements provided by

Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home

P.O. Box 146

Hoisington, KS 67544

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Dec. 29, 2019

Gloria Jane Keenan 1947 - 2025
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Gloria Jane Keenan

NESS CITY — Gloria Jane Keenan, age 77, passed away on Feb. 21, 2025, at HaysMed, Hays, Kan. due to complications of a stroke. She was born on Aug. 22, 1947, in Great Bend, Kan., the daughter of Wayne and Elvira (Schneider) Kerr. 

She grew up on a farm, SE of Ness City, moving to town in 1960. She was a 1965 graduate of Ness City High School. She was a member of the NCHS band that represented Kansas at the Seattle World Fair. Gloria graduated from Fort Hays State College in 1969 with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. She was a member of Sigma Kappa Sorority, serving as president her senior year.

She married Terry Keenan on June 4, 1969, at Sacred Heart Church, Ness City. They enjoyed 55 years of marriage. She taught third grade at Jefferson School in Great Bend before they moved to Ness City in 1975 where they raised their three children, Jill, Andrew, and Brett. She subbed at schools in the area until 1978. She started teaching at Sacred Heart School where she worked for over 25 years. Every student knew when Mrs. Keenan gave them “the look” they were in trouble.  

Gloria was a member of Sacred Heart Church, Altar Society, and was a communion minister. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, the Do Little Club, played group bridge, volunteered at the Methodist Thrift Shop and Meals on Wheels.

She is survived by her husband, Terry, and daughter, Jill Stade, both of Ness City; her son, Brett Keenan and his wife, Stephanie, of White Rock, New Mexico; three grandchildren, Dylan and Brayden Chesterman and Robin Keenan; and two great grandchildren, Stella and Alana Chesterman. Gloria is also survived by her brother, Mark Kerr, and his wife, Renee, of Ness City; brother-in-law, Dennis Keenan, and his wife, Eileen, of Overland Park; and sister-in-law, Georgann Bauer, of Larned. Gloria was preceded in death by her parents; and son, Andrew Kerr Keenan.

Parish Vigil will be held at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Ness City, on Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, at 6 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025, 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, Ness City. Viewing will be Fitzgerald Funeral Home on Monday from noon until service time on Monday. Memorial Contributions may be given to Sacred Heart Church or School or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Memories and words of support may be left for the family at www.fitzgeraldfuneral.com.


Funeral arrangements provided by

Fitzgerald Funeral Home

207 N. Pennsylvania Ave.

Ness City, KS  67560

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Feb. 25, 2025