Gwen Ranae Richeson, age 41, passed away December 30, 2021, at her home in WaKeeney, Kansas.
Gwen was born in Plentywood, Montana, on August 12, 1977, to John Martin and Madonna Larae Richeson. She lived in Outlook, Montana through her freshman year, attending Outlook High School, where she was a member of the Honor Society. She was also involved in 4H, basketball, cheerleading, and even gave time to the Veterans of the American Legion by fundraising and spaghetti dinners to raise money for their projects. She always said that was where her love of cooking began.
The family moved to Hays, Kansas in 1991, and Gwen attended Hays High School where she was a member of the choir for 2 years. She was also part of a group of the Spanish class that went to Europe, visiting Paris, London, and Madrid, the trip of her lifetime. After graduating in 1995, Gwen began attending Fort Hays State University, but stopped and went to work for Sykes in Hays, where she greatly enjoyed the computer work.
Gwen moved to Topeka to work in tech support, and later went to work for McDonald’s, eventually moving to WaKeeney in July of 2012 to be closer to family and continuing to work for McDonald’s before jumping into the Tigerlily Diner with her family in April of 2014. Unfortunately, Gwen had to close the diner in 2016 when she went back to McDonald’s. She loved visiting with the customers in her spare time, and if she was up to it, she would help the VFW Auxiliary with events and the bierocks.
Gwen is survived by her parents, John and Madonna Richeson and brother Jason Richeson, all of WaKeeney. She had a very large family including 12 aunts, 11 uncles, and 31 cousins.
Gwen was preceded in death by her grandparents Robert and Margaret Richeson, and Theodore and Peggy Wirtz; uncles Joe Richeson and Bill Dibble; aunt Marie Evenson; and 3 cousins, Dallas Wirtz, David Evenson, and Lori Evenson.
A celebration of life will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, February 5, 2022, at the VFW Hall in WaKeeney, Kansas.
Condolences may be left for the family by visiting www.schmittfuneral.com