Viola Marie Dechant, 88, Hays, died Thursday, November 11, 2021, at HaysMed.
She was born May 28, 1933, in Pfeifer, the daughter of Raymond and Helen (Basgall) Holzmeister. In 1951, she graduated from Victoria High School. She was united in marriage to Herbert P. Dechant on January 5, 1959 in Wichita, and they celebrated 62 years of marriage. She was homemaker and a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. Viola enjoyed babysitting, visiting with friends and family, sewing, cooking, baking, and making homemade noodles. Thursday was her baking day, baking pies and various cookies, which she kept in a Tupperware container ready for her family to enjoy.
Survivors include her husband Herbert of Hays, three sons: Raymond Dechant and wife Lori of Dodge City, Brian Dechant of Hays, and Eric Dechant of Hays, two daughters: Joan Freeman and husband Sam of Ellinwood and Myra Kreutzer of Hays, one sister: Elsie Suppes of LaCrosse, 13 grandchildren, and 15 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a grandson: Curtis Jacob Dechant.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Monday, November 15, 2021, at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Fr. Richard Daise officiating. Burial will follow in the Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery, WaKeeney. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Sunday and from 9:00 am until 9:45 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 the St. Joseph Food Pantry. Condolences and memories of Viola may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com