Obituary of Ruby Elizabeth Heikes

IN LOVING MEMORY OF RUBY E. HEIKES Ruby Heikes, 93, passed away at her home in Lenora, in December 2, 2010, with family and friends and the comfort of her home surrounding her. Ruby Elizabeth Suchsland was born on December 22, 1916, in Smith County, to August and Minnie (Wolf) Suchsland. When she was two, they moved close to Glade, Kansas, where they lived in a grainery until their new home was built. At the age of twelve, they moved to north of Lenora. She graduated from Lenora High School in the class of 1935, who celebrated their 75th class reunion last May. She then graduated from Ft. Hays Normal School in 1936. She taught for three years at the Aurora one-room country school two miles north of her home with her starting pay at $16 a month. She married Lloyd Heikes in Orange County, California, on July 17, 1938, where Lloyd had moved in 1936, to work for the Douglas Aircraft Factory. They returned to the farm in Lenora in 1946, for Lloyd to fulfill his dream to farm. They worked side by side with their family to raise cattle, milo, and livestock on their farm. They received the Kansas Banker's Association Award for soil conservation in 1964, and the first Wildlife Conservation Award presented in Norton County, in 1981. Ruby was so proud of her farm, to be a farmer, and the beauty of her crops. Ruby was a 57-year member of the Lenora Rebekah Lodge #381, the Good Hope Ladies Aide, and a 64-year member of the Lenora FCE. She was a member of the Good Hope Church and later the United Parish Church of Lenora, and the United Parish Women. Survivors include: two daughters and their husbands, Ann and Bob Morgan, Phoenix, Arizona; Debbie and Tracey Hagans, Utica, Kansas; one son and his wife, Richard and Robbie Heikes, Rowlett, Texas; seven grandchildren, David and Shan Morgan, Kathleen Green, Jay and Cory Heikes, Colby and Kate Hagans; other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Lloyd, in 1987, four brothers, Harold, Elmer, Lester, and Ivan, and one grandson, Jason Paul Heikes. Ruby was the last surviving member of the Good Hope Community and was truly an inspiration to her family and community. A memorial has been established to the Lenora Public Library. .