Doris M. Casey, 100, Hays, Kansas, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 15, 2026 at Brookdale Senior Living.
She was born on March 15, 1925, in Plainville, Kansas to Charles and Anna (Johnson) Marston. Doris graduated from Plainville High School in 1943. She briefly joined the workforce as a switchboard operator at the local telephone company before enlisting in the United States military. Doris bravely and dutifully volunteered to serve her country during World War II in the Navy’s groundbreaking WAVES program (Women Accepted for Volunteer Services). She was trained in medical care and support and was stationed in the Pacific Northwest. After returning home from service, she married Donald M. Casey on November 26, 1947. Together they took up residence on the Casey family farm east of Plainville, where she lived and worked as a farmwife for many decades. From this union, Donald and Doris had one son, Thomas E. Casey. She retired from the farm and moved back to Plainville where she volunteered at Sacred Heart Catholic School as a preschool teacher’s aide. Years later, she transitioned to Hays to be closer to family.
Throughout her life, Doris enjoyed every form of crafting, including crochet, quilting, painting, drawing, and decorating cakes. She was a devout member of Plainville’s Sacred Heart Catholic Church and Sacred Heart Ladies Guild. She woke up early each day to pray rosaries for her loved ones. Doris prioritized staying active with swimming being her favorite form of exercise. She loved to play poker, had mastered the art of delivering a good joke, and made the best kolaches in town. She was a proud member of VFW Post #8871 and VFW Auxiliary #8871.
Doris is survived by her daughter-in-law, Mary (Hackerott) Casey; her grandchildren Amy (Paul) Matlack, Spencer (Michelle) Casey, Kim (Frank) Musalek, and Robyn (Brandon) Crichton; as well as her ten beloved great grandchildren: Laura Casey, Nate Matlack, Hailey (Garrett) Rounsley, Nick Matlack, Abbey Musalek, Ryan Casey, Ella Musalek, Lexi Casey, Luke Musalek, and Colin Crichton. She was preceded in death by her husband, only son, parents, twin brother Delmar (Dorothy) Marston, brother Jack (Louise) Marston, brother Darrell Fred Marston, stepfather Jess Morris, and many beloved in-laws and friends.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 am on Monday, January 19, 2026 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hays, with Fr. Fred Gatschet officiating. Burial with military honors by the Plainville VFW Post #8871 Honor Guard will be at 2:00 pm in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Plainville. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Sunday and from 10:00 am until 10:45 on Monday, all at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home. A vigil service and rosary will be at 6:30 pm on Sunday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Sacred Heart Catholic School in Plainville or to VFW Post #8871. Condolences and memories of Doris may be shared with her family at www.haysmemorial.com