Gerald Henry “Jerry” Hickert

Gerald Henry “Jerry” Hickert, 89, Hays, former longtime Jennings, Kansas farmer and stockman, passed away Thursday, May 28, 2020 at HaysMed.

He was born Sunday, April 26, 1931 on the family farm near Clayton, Kansas, the son of Aloysius Michael “Babe” and Josephine Fernunda “Joey” (Nusse) Hickert, the fourth of five children.  Jerry graduated from Jennings High School in 1949.  He was drafted into military service with the United States Army and served his country in Japan during the Korean Conflict as a teletype operator.  On April 11, 1959 he was united in marriage to Marcella Theresa Boor in Seguin, Kansas, and they were married 61 years.  To this union, three children were born:  Debra, Darrell and Diane.  Jerry and Marcella farmed southeast of Jennings for 33 years, and in 1992 they retired and moved to Hays.  Jerry “retired” again from Quest Diagnostics of Hays, where he was employed as a courier.  He loved animals and farming, and thoroughly enjoyed working the land, growing grain, raising cattle and hogs, and in his retirement years, gardening, especially flowers.  Jerry could rebuild or fix anything, large or small, and he enjoyed playing the guitar.

Survivors include his wife; Marcella of the home, three children; Debra Dix of Stockton, Darrell (Shirley) Hickert of Oberlin, and Diane Hickert of Hays, four grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, two sisters; Noreen Crabill of Norton and Charlene Goscha of Oakley, a brother; Fred (Majella) Hickert of Hays, his sisters-in-law and brothers-in law; Leona Boor of Hays, Susan Boor of Hutchinson, Luella Linnebur of Bel Aire, Leon (Mary Jo) Boor of Abilene, and Jeannie (Jerry) Patterson of Wakefield, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother; Quinten “Squire” Hickert, nine brothers-in-law; Bernard Kaus, Verl Crabill, Red Stephens, Gilbert Campbell, Louis Collins, Vic Goscha, Harold Boor, Marvin Boor and Wayne Linnebur, a sister-in-law; Pat Stephens, and four nephews.

Private family services will be at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, June 2, 2020 at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, Hays with military honors provided by the Hays VFW Post #9076 Honor Guard.  Private family inurnment will take place at a later date.  Memorials are suggested to the family’s wishes and can be sent to the family at 1700 Anthony Dr., Hays, Kansas, 67601.  Condolences and memories of Jerry may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com.