Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Ann Hastert

Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Ann Hastert, 80, of Ulysses, Kansas, passed away on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, at the Olathe Medical Center in Olathe, Kansas. She was born on September 5, 1943, in Garnett, Kansas to Francis and Doris (White) Holmes.

Liz grew up in Garnett where she attended Longfellow Elementary and Garnett High School. She graduated in 1961. She worked for many years at Elliott Dairy where she met her husband, Vern, since he loved ice cream. They married September 13, 1961, being together for over 62 years.

Liz and Vern moved to Ulysses in 1964 for Vern’s 1st and last teaching position. Liz was a homemaker and dedicated mom to their three kids. She volunteered for several decades for Little League Baseball, served on the Grant County Scholarship board and was a longtime member of the Ladies Golf Association. She enjoyed attending the kids’ activities as well as adult activities with Vern. She later worked at Anspacher Commodities and then Southwestern Savings and Loan.

Liz enjoyed doing anything creative including ceramics, sewing, painting, canning, cooking for family gatherings, cake baking/decorating and gardening. She made custom cakes for her kids as well as friends’ kids, always unique to the individual. Every Christmas, for many years, she would search for the perfect material to sew unique pajamas for each grandchild. Liz and Vern also enjoyed spending time with family and friends, traveling (49 states), golfing, dancing, casinos and drinking the occasional crown and COKE.

Liz is survived by her loving husband, Vern Hastert, children: Jay Hastert (Amy) of Osawatomie, KS and Jolene ‘Jo’ Prochko (Jerry) of Olathe, KS, daughter-in-law Cheri Hastert of Harleton, TX; grandchildren: Jenna, Brint (Adrianne) and Jacob Hastert; Cole and Ann Prochko; Jordan and Graham Mullen; great-grandchildren: Gabe, Tyler and Roman; sister Margaret Smith; brothers-in-law: Charles Lee Parks and Chuck Miller; sisters-in-law: Darlene Thompson and Marvel Hastert; brother-in-law Glenn Hastert (Ruth Lee) plus many cousins, nieces, nephews and great friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Francis and Doris Holmes, son John Hastert, sisters Laura Parks and Carol Miller; brother Charlie Holmes; Parents-in-law Tony and Mary Hastert; brothers-in-law Edmond Smith, Dennis Sr (Joyce) Hastert, Don Hastert and Tom Thompson.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Garnand Funeral Home Chapel, 405 West Grant Avenue, Ulysses, KS on Saturday, February 3, 2024, at 2:00 PM. A private burial will take place later in Garnett Cemetery, Garnett, KS.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that contributions in Liz’s memory be made to Grant County Scholarship Foundation, c/o Garnand Funeral Home, 405 West Grant Avenue, Ulysses, KS 67880. Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com.