Loretta Faye Hutchinson, 92, WaKeeney, passed away on January 16, 2026, at Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital.
Born in the family home in Hooker, OK, on May 3, 1933, to Millard and Edith (George) Wells. Loretta’s grade school years were spent in Hooker and the surrounding area towns. She attended high school in Liberal, KS, and later earned her GED. She continued her education with coursework at Colby Community College and Fort Hays State University.
Loretta was united in marriage for 72 years to Garland R. Hutchinson on August 21, 1949, in Liberal. Two children were born to this union: Thomas Ray Hutchinson in 1950 and Connie Lea Hutchinson Busch in 1952. The family followed Garland’s career as a Duckwall manager in southeastern Colorado and western Kansas, finally settling in WaKeeney. Loretta worked at WaKeeney Redi-Mix, Trego-WaKeeney State Bank, and First United Methodist Church, WaKeeney, and First United Methodist Church, Ulysses.
Loretta had a variety of creative and artistic interests and hobbies. She enjoyed sewing, knitting, crocheting, and painting. Along with Garland, they constructed and painted wooden birdhouses, ornaments, plaques, and knick-knacks for family and friends. Jigsaw puzzles, board games, card games, reading the New York Times, and reading and researching information on her iPad filled Loretta’s free time. She was a member of the WaKeeney United Methodist Church, the Locust Club, and the Courtney-Spalding Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Loretta is survived by her son, Thomas R. (Cassandra) of Salina; daughter, Connie L. Busch of Hays; brother-in-law, Richard Hutchinson, Parker, CO; grandsons, Bourke B. (Kari) Hutchinson of Gardner, and Roberto L. (Adriana) Busch of Hays; four great-grandchildren; cousins, nieces, nephews, and their families.
She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, brother Teddy Wells, son-in-law, Allan J. Busch, Jr., and family members Lloyd and Norma (Hutchinson) Palmer, Dean and Billie Hutchinson, and Dolores Hutchinson.
A private family graveside service will be held at Kansas Veterans Cemetery in WaKeeney at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be given to the Scholarship Fund, WaKeeney First United Methodist Church. Donations may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th Street, WaKeeney, KS 67672.