Melvia Jane Leiker, 79, Hays, died Thursday, February 4, 2021, at her home surrounded by family.
She was born August 22, 1941, in Hays the daughter of Ben M. and Agnes Louise (Younger) Rupp. In 1959, she graduated from Girls Catholic High School. On June 3, 1961 she was united in marriage to Donald W. Leiker in Hays, and they celebrated 52 years of marriage before he preceded her in death on June 16, 2013. She worked at Wiesner’s Department Store, cleaned the Romme Real Estate Building, and was a homemaker and a gifted seamstress. Jane was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and the Daughters of Isabella Circle #254, and enjoyed sewing, cooking, camping at the lake, and spending time at their home in Pfeifer. She had a wonderful sense of humor, was feisty, had tremendous faith, and loved spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Survivors include two sons: Curtis J. Leiker and Kyle A. Leiker and wife Melissa all of Hays, a sister-in-law: Viola “Ollie” Rupp of Hays, three nephews: Bernie Rupp, Vernon Rupp, and Mitch Leiker, a niece: Ruth Dreher, four grandchildren: Kaysha Weigel and husband Chris, Christy, Cole, and Clay Leiker, and seven great grandchildren: Kali, Emersyn, Danika, Brantlee, Ryder, and Kylie Leiker, and Kaisley Weigel.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Donald, daughter Kala Marie Augustine, brother Charles M. Rupp, sister Diana “Dottie” Windholz, brother-in-law Delmar Windholz, and a niece Deborah Ann Marie “Debbie” Rupp.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Wednesday, February 10, 2021, at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Fr. Brian Lager officiating. Burial will follow in the St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Tuesday and from 9:00 am until 9:45 on Wednesday, all at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home. A vigil service and Daughters of Isabella rosary will be at 6:00 pm on Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made payable to Hospice of HaysMed. Condolences and memories of Jane may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com