Frances Kay Keck

Obituary Frances “Kay” Keck

            Frances “Kay” Keck, the daughter of John P. Savage and Susan Ellen (Olmstead) Savage, was born September 26, 1938 in Wellington, KS and passed away on September 16, 2020 at Republic County Hospital, Belleville, KS at the age of 81 years, 11 months, and 20 days.

            In her early years, Kay lived in Dodge City, KS, moving to Mound Valley, KS where she grew up and attended school, graduating from Mound Valley High School in 1957.    

            Kay worked as a Southwestern Bell switch board operator in Mound Valley while in high school and later worked for McCoy’s Greenhouse in Cherryvale, KS.   She then worked at Electra in Independence for a short time.    Kay then worked at Hasselmann’s in Independence, KS for many years as a florist.   She later was employed at Emerson Electric Mfg. in Independence for nearly 20 years until her retirement.  After her retirement, she worked at Twig’s Floral in Independence.

            On March 14, 1957, she was united in marriage to Donald W. Pope and they were later divorced.   On February 9, 1968, she was united in marriage to Thomas J. Keck.     Tom and Kay made their home in the Independence area and later moved to the Cherryvale, KS area.    Tom preceded her in death on December 27, 2018.   Recently, Kay has been living near family.

            Kay was a member of the Eastern Star Eva Chapter, Elk City, KS serving as Worthy Matron several times.   She was a member of the Pumpkin Creek Survivors, and was an active member of the Cherryvale Christian Church and the New Hope Christian Church, Cherryvale.

            Kay was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Thomas J. Keck; infant twin children:  Eugene and Becky; infant Brother: Robert, and one great grandchild, Nora Belle Robertson.

            Kay is survived by her children, Kathy Kelley of Independence, KS, Dawn (John) Surber of Belleville, KS, and Theron (Mathilda) Pope of Bartlesville, OK; four grandchildren, Benjamin Kelley of Kansas City, MO, Cody (Bonnie) Robertson of Thornton, CO, John (Shelby) Pope of Skiatook, OK; and Jay Surber of Kansas City, MO;  six great grandchildren,  Camryn Robertson, Nonie Pope, Michael Robertson, Emma Robertson, Riley Robertson, and Wylie Pope; other relatives and friends.

            Cremation was selected and Memorial Services will be held at 2:00 PM, Saturday, October 10, 2020 at the Wickham Family Funeral Home, Cherryvale, KS with Reverend Randy Beeman, officiating.

             Family inurnment services will be held earlier at the Mound Valley Cemetery, Mound Valley, KS.

             Friends may gather prior to the services from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM on Saturday, October 10, 2020 at the Wickham Family Funeral Home, Cherryvale.

            Memorials are suggested to the Golden Bell Haven, Belleville, KS. (Church People Concerned).

            Services are under the direction of the Bachelor-Surber Funeral Home, Belleville, KS and Wickham Family Funeral Home, Cherryvale, KS.

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