Grace Kathleen McGinnis, 87, of Hays, Kansas, died on January 9, 2026, at Hays Medical Center.
Grace was born Grace Kathleen Staab on July 4, 1938, at Saint Anthony’s Hospital in Hays, Kansas, to Joseph J. Staab and Rose M. Schuvie. She graduated from Girls Catholic High School in Hays and earned a degree in Art from Fort Hays State University. While attending college, she met Darrell D. McGinnis, and they were married on August 20, 1960, at Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church in Hays. Darrell preceded her in death in August 2020. Together, they made their home on West 13th Street in Hays for 55 years, remodeling the house in the late 1970s.
Grace’s life reflected both creativity and dedication. She was a homemaker, co-owner of Beadery and Baskets in Hays, a medical transcriptionist, and a talented cellist. An avid reader, she often read three or more books a week and meticulously cataloged every one. She especially enjoyed suspense and crime novels.
Grace embraced creativity in all forms and encouraged it in others through crafts, cooking, baking, and needlework. One of her favorite pastimes was reading cookbooks for pleasure and collecting recipes—even those she never made. She also loved trying new foods.
She volunteered many years with the Hays Arts Council, generously donating countless hours of her time.
Grace is remembered for her sense of humor, generous hospitality, strong self-determination, and belief in equality. She guided her children to be independent and confident individuals. She loved music, dancing, playing cards, and word and board games, and was the original champion of Squeel. While watching Jeopardy!, she could often provide the questions to most of the answers.
Grace was preceded in death by her son Martin, who died in childhood; her husband Darrell; her parents; and her brother Terry Staab.
She is survived by her sister Nancy and husband Marvin Schmidtberger of Pratt; sister-in-law Betty Staab of Texas; daughter Erin and husband David Hughes of Hays; sons Collin and wife Maria Cordoba of Maize, Kansas; Sean and husband Stéphane Lescoules of Paris, France; and Patrick and wife Penny Moss of Hays; 12 grandchildren: Marty Hughes; Megan Hughes and husband Devin Rohweder; Jessica Hughes; Hannah Hughes and husband C.J. West; Anthony Barone; Shelby Barone and husband Michael Baggett; Sydney McGinnis; Emily McGinnis; Josh McGinnis and wife Brittney Craft; Aubrey McGinnis and husband Zachary Woolf; and Andrew McGinnis and fiancée Kati Burge; and 11 great-grandchildren: John, Ada, Nora, Ally, Chapman, Syrus, Evelyn, Lincoln, Liam, Logan, and Leighton.
Mass of Christian burial will be Saturday, January 17, 2026 at 11:00 AM at St. Joseph Catholic Church - Hays, 215 West 13th Street Hays, Kansas 67601. Inurnment will follow the mass in the parish cemetery. Viewing and visitation will be Friday, January 16, 2026, from 5 PM to 7 PM with a combined parish vigil and rosary service beginning at 7 PM all at Keithley Funeral Homes and Crematory - Brock's Chapel 2509 Vine Street Hays, Kansas 67601.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Darrell and Grace McGinnis Memorial Scholarship at Fort Hays State University in care of the funeral chapel.
Memories and words of comfort may be shared with Grace's family on her tribute page via: www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com
Services in care of: Keithley Funeral Homes and Crematory - Brock's Chapel 2509 Vine Street Hays, Kansas 67601.