Marvella "Minnie" M. Ricketts

Marvella “Minnie” Marie (Dill) Ricketts, 90, peacefully passed into God’s loving arms on Saturday, November 27, 2021, at home, surrounded by her four daughters.

Minnie was born in Columbus, Kansas, to Harry and Effie Dill on January 27, 1931, the youngest of nine children. During her school years she was very involved in activities including cheerleading and numerous theater productions. She graduated from Cherokee County Community High School in 1949. In Columbus she worked at the City Clerk’s Office and the County Engineers Office. She also worked at Royal Typewriter Company, Montgomery Wards and at Pacific Telephone Company. 

On October 3, 1954, she married the love of her life, Lawrence David Ricketts in Columbus, at the First Presbyterian Church. This union of 54 years produced five children, eight grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren, Larry preceded her in death, November 18, 2008. In January of 1960, Minnie and Larry moved from Columbus to Haysville with three young children, but kept their strong ties to the Columbus community with frequent visits with family and friends. In November of 1960, they started their own newspapers, The Haysville News and The Derby Reporter. Over the years they had two more daughters and expanded the newspapers to cover Mulvane, Kechi, Park City, and Bel Aire. They sold the newspapers and retired in 1988.
“Retirement" led to their next 15 years of traveling around the state, and dabbling in a variety of businesses... the newspaper in Beloit, a restaurant in Portis, a private club in Osborne, and a liquor store in Downs. They settled back in Columbus and opened a new liquor store, operating it until the fall of 2003, when they sold it to their son and daughter-in-law, Clay and Teresa. They moved back to their home in Haysville, to be near family and friends in their Golden Years. 

Marvella had a “green thumb” and grew beautiful flowers and plants. She loved hosting large family gatherings and celebrations, and being surrounded by her entire family. She enjoyed watching her grandchildren grow up, and was fully involved in all their activities. It was always a wonderful time at “Grandma and Grandpa’s house”! She was an AMAZING cook and has left her family well supplied with many favorite recipes. Her heart of gold welcomed and befriended all she met, and she shared her million-dollar smile with everyone!
She was a member of St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church in Haysville for more than 55 years, and as a church elder, she held numerous committee positions. She had such a beautiful voice, absolutely loved singing in the choir, and had the entire church hymnal committed to memory! Previously, she was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Columbus. Her strong faith, dedication, and commitment to the Lord was steadfast throughout her truly blessed life. She was an example to us all, and left such big shoes to fill!

In addition to her parents and husband Larry, Marvella was preceded in death by her four brothers, Harrison, Calvin, Ervin, and Mervin; and her four sisters, Fontella Niggemann, Berea McMullen, Edna Mae Robinson, and Wilma Alicia Dill.

Marvella is survived by her five children, Clay (Teresa) Ricketts, Sue (Steve) Booth, Rena Kay Ricketts, Amanda (John McAnally) Ricketts, and Dorcie (Tom) Hinkle, and eight grandchildren Jarett (Julie) Booth, Samantha Booth, Dustin (Laryssa) Booth, Lexington (Dustin) Lutt, Kenzie Ricketts, Shaylee McAnally, Walker Hinkle, Nash Hinkle; and nine great-grandchildren, Brylie, Braxton, Bruin, Lakin, Landrey, Ayden, Asher, Haylla and Hawk, and many loving nieces and nephews. 

A Memorial Service and Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, January 8, 2022 at 1:00 pm, at St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church in Haysville. Masks are encouraged at the service. Light refreshments to follow. 

A Memorial has been established with St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church in Haysville. Services entrusted to Webb-Shinkle Mortuary, Haysville.