Kathryn L. Vickers

Kathryn L Vickers, 76, of Wichita, Kansas, passed away on September 26th after a brief battle with leukemia. We trust that with her faith she put in Jesus, that she has already run into God’s embrace and heard “well done, my good and faithful servant.”

Kathy was born April 20, 1949, to Clark and Edna May Webster. She was raised on the family farm on the hill overlooking Protection, learning to bring cattle in with the Jeep and helping her parents on the farm. The farm was more than crops in the fields, hauling cattle or a home bakery though. It was a place where the love of Jesus and family grew abundantly nurtured and fed by Clark and Edna May.

Kathy met Jack Vickers in the summer of 1963 when he spent the summer in Protection bucking hay. Kathy later married Jack, the love of her life in June 1967, moving to Wellington, Kansas to start their life together. She brought with her the love of Jesus and family to start her home in a rental on 16th Street.

They had fifty-nine amazing years including buying older houses to redo before flipping houses was a trend, trips together Jack won through his job and visiting their children and grandchildren. Each trip they went on, Kathy would take Jack shopping to make sure their kids and grandkids had souvenirs. She adored seeing everyone’s faces as they beheld their gifts.

Kathy worked a variety of jobs over the years including Dillons, in the meat market, Wellington Library, Wellington Methodist Church, Amazing Grace Ministries, Georgetown Retirement Community, as the executive secretary for the Kansas District Superintendent of the Nazarene Church and as a stay-at-home mom to her three children. But wherever she was, her love of Jesus and family was plain for all to see and feel.

Kathy enjoyed her time in United Methodist Women, PTA Council, P.E.O, President Reagan’s DARE project, and Project Prom which she helped co-write the grant to start. Kathy was always up for making suckers or cookies for some special fundraiser or event. A call with a request starting with Mom or Nana was always met with cheerful joy as she adored helping others.

Growing up there were many holidays where our table was filled with extra guests that Kathy and Jack invited to join them. The family table wasn’t just a place for food but also a place where all were welcomed and treasured.

One of Kathy’s greatest enjoyments was her time leading The Calling Voice which her husband whole-heartedly supported. The sanctuary at First United Methodist Church in Wellington would fill with the sounds of music and kids voices praising him bringing the bible verse, Matthew 18:20, For where two or three gather in my name, there I am with them directly into the lives of youths. Spending time praising Jesus and seeing kid’s lives changed gave her happy memories for many years.

Kathy learned her love of baking from her mother, who made so many amazing dishes in a small kitchen. Kathy’s love language was best seen in the food she lovingly made for her family and the events she made special. Kids and grandchildren knew whether they were going to Nana’s house or Nana was coming to theirs that the sweet smell of cookies baking or pumpkin and banana bread would fill whichever house you were in. She and Jack would have an assembly line at Christmas time where he would dip some of the items in chocolate.

She started baking early six months before Christmas and storing them in the freezer in the garage. One holiday, she was startled when the amount in the freezer didn’t match what she’d put in. Jack had been grabbing a couple peanut butter chip cookies each day as he left for work and taking them with him. She teased him about that for many years but then always made extra so he could have his little treat.

Christmas was always full of family, laughter and love with giggles abounding. Multiple trees at Nana’s house meant there was always something new to experience. Even the year Kathy decided to have a hot chocolate making contest between the siblings brought good-natured teasing, smiles and bragging rights years later.

Kathy was a cheerleader for her grandkids and attended numerous sporting events, concerts and fairs over the years. She was most happy when she was spending time with her husband and family.

A life well-lived is not measured by the things that were owned but by the lives that were touched with love and are forever changed. The love Kathy poured out will live on in all of us multiplying and growing to carry on her legacy of love.

Though we grieve because she will not be with us, we rejoice for the love we experienced with her and know that someday, we will join her in Heaven and once again feel her arms around us. Because death is not the end, it is only the beginning for those that know Jesus as their Savior.

Kathy was preceded in death by her parents, Clark and Edna May Webster and sisters, Atha Webster and Elsie Weir.

Kathy is survived by her beloved husband, Jack Vickers; her daughter Jackie (Bob) Jewett, her son Reverend Jeremy (Jill) Vickers, her daughter Rebecca Billups, grandchildren Beth (Jake) Jimmerson, Hunter Cook, Jack Jewett, Addison Cook, Dylan Billups, Johnathan Vickers, Ava Billups, Josiah Vickers, Juliana Vickers, her brother, Murl (Lalana) Webster, nieces/nephews and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be sent to Wellington Methodist Church, 202 W. Harvey, Wellington, KS 67152 to carry on her legacy of love. Graveside services will be in Protection, KS on Friday, October 2nd, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.