GREAT BEND,  KANSAS

GRACE  ELLEN  (DICKSON) VANSKIKE, 88, loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt, passed away Sunday April 24, 2016. She was born in rural Newton, Kansas to Herbert Paul Dickson and Marjorie Fae (Osburn) Dickson. She was a graduate of El Dorado High School, El Dorado, Kansas. After graduation she attended K-State University. She enjoyed life as a homemaker and working as a Nurses Aide at Central Kansas Medical Center. Grace loved her family and appreciated each one of them. She is survived by her children Keith (Karen) VanSkike of Norton, Roger (Charlotte) VanSkike of Hickory, North Carolina, Rob (Gina) VanSkike of Great Bend, and Jane VanSkike of Sedgwick; grandchildren Jason (Melanie) Ritter, Justin (Jessica) Ritter, William Ritter, Brianna Ritter (Brandon Craft), Josh (Lisa) VanSkike, Luke (Holly) VanSkike, Jacob VanSkike, Melodee Ritter, Megan VanSkike, Todd (Amanda) VanSkike, William VanSkike, Sarah VanSkike, Stacey Jones and Chad Ritter, Sam and Ryan Schmitt; great grandchildren Bethany, Dakota, Preston, Peyton, Grace, Dane, Haleigh, Kaitlyn, McKenna, Rose, Faith, Hope, Dalton, Gavin, Gentry and Joshua; sisters Virginia (Cal) Kernen of McKinleyville, CA, Beulah (John) Turner of Clay Center, Joyce Bender of Sedgwick, sister-in-law Dorothy Faidley of Arkansas City. She is preceded in death by her husband William, parents Herbert and Marjorie Dickson, inlaws Harry and Mary VanSkike; brothers Archie, Lloyd and Gilbert Dickson, sister Thelma, brother-in-laws Dale Bender, Jack Works, Karl Faidley, sister-in-laws Mary Ruth Works, Marguerite Works, 3 infant grandchildren, and one infant great grandchild. Grace will be laid to rest at the Great Bend Cemetery. In remembrance to her life a memorial will be established to benefit Monarch Butterflies, you may send in care of her daughter Jane VanSkike, 9012 S. Hertzler Rd, Sedgwick, Kansas 67135-9143. Baker Funeral Home of Valley Center. Condolences may be left for the family at www.bakerfhvc.com