Kathleen Hedden

Kathleen Amber Hedden, 85 of Colby, Kansas, died December 7, 2021, at Citizens Medical Center, Colby, surrounded by family. She was born November 27, 1936, to Glenn and Leona (Troudt) Wiley on the family farm near Mankato, Kansas.

Kathleen graduated with the Class of 1954 from Mankato High School. She was married to Wayne S. Hedden on January 27, 1956, and over the first 21 years of marriage moved with him as an Air Force wife to several military bases within the United States, and a 3-year tour in Spain. Kathleen enjoyed being a military wife, except when she had to live out of a large trunk, with 2 children under the age of 3 and one on the way, while waiting for belongings to arrive overseas, or lived in a 2-room kitchenette, with 5 kids, waiting for base housing. After Wayne’s retirement from the Air Force, in 1976, they moved to Colby, KS, where Kathleen worked at Lantern Park Manor, and some local motels, for several years until her retirement. Once moving to Colby, Kathleen had a permanent home, where she enjoyed her hobby of planting and growing flowers. She was able to plant and grow irises she received from her mother. During their retirement Wayne and Kathleen loved to travel and would often go visit their children and grandchildren. As Wayne’s health began to decline Kathleen took care of him, until his death in 2006, shortly after celebrating 50 years of marriage.

Kathleen was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; sister, Sharon Leigh, and brother, Duane Wiley.

She is survived by her children, David Hedden of Salina, Kansas, Debra (Darrell) Brobst of Stockton, Kansas, Donald (Janet) Hedden of Abilene, Kansas, Daniel (Christel) Hedden of St. Joseph, Missouri, and Diana (JC) Carter, of Colby, Kansas; grandchildren, Nikki (Garret) Ludwig, Adam (Paige) Brobst, Whitney (Bobby) Gilbert, Emily Hedden, Shannon (Steven) Rath, Scott (Brittany) Hedden, Jacob Hedden, Jacqueline Hedden, Caleb (Jennifer) Carter, Cayla (Jeremy) Myers; and ten great grandchildren. Also surviving are her sisters-in-law, Eva Wiley of Cawker City, Kansas and Wanda (Bill) Seidel of Lawrence, Kansas; brother-in-law Wes Hedden of Phoenix, Arizona, and several nieces and nephews.

Cremation was chosen. There will be a Celebration of Life from 2-4:00 p.m. Saturday, December 18, 2021, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Colby. Inurnment will take place at Mount Hope Cemetery, Mankato, Kansas. Memorials may be made to Thomas County Historical Society, and Trinity Lutheran Church of Colby, KS and sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701 Online condolences: www.baalmannmortuary.com