Rebecca (Becky) Alane Warren, age 60, passed away November 15, 2023, at Parkview Care Center, Osborne, KS.
She was born April 1, 1963, in WaKeeney, KS to Billy L Wilson and Martha (McMindes) Wilson. She was born the 5th of 6 children. Her father, Bill, was quite the jokester, so when he announced to his friends and coworkers that Martha had given birth to a bouncing baby girl, no one would believe him. Even his bowling team, after bowling, had to be escorted to the hospital, having to see for themselves before they would believe.
Becky attended school in WaKeeney. As soon as she was old enough to get a job, she worked at the Satellite drive-in, WaKeeney Manor, and Dairy Queen. As a senior, she enrolled in a work class and was employed at the WaKeeney Medical Clinic. She graduated from Trego Community High School, class of ’81, on December 5, 1981. She married her high school sweetheart, Woodrow Warren, on November 7, 1983. They were blessed with a son, Luke Blaine Warren. In the Fall of 1990, with the help of a work scholarship from TCLMH, Rebecca attended FHSU to become a registered nurse and Luke started kindergarten, so Woodrow had two kids in school. In the spring of 1993, Rebecca graduated from FHSU, summa cum laude, with a degree in Nursing and was nominated for the prestigious Torch Award.
Rebecca wasted no time with her new career and went to work for TCLMH to repay her scholarship. For a short time, she worked for the State of Kansas Area Agency of Aging, before moving on to work for Hays Medical Center, where she worked in family practice, the joint replacement team, and skilled care. Later she went to work at the Quinter Bluestem Medical Center as an education nurse. During this time, she was given an award from the Kansas Hospital Education and Research Foundation for her work with Trama Education Series and Air Med Care.
Rebcca and her family enjoyed many vacations to the Colorado Rocky Mountains and to Iowa, to visit her younger brother, Jeff, and family; always canvasing antique shops along the way for that piece of poetry that belonged in her collection.
Rebecca lived a happy and productive life, with no regrets, and many friends.
In October of 2013, everything changed when she was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s. All through those difficult times, Rebecca remained cheerful and outgoing the best that she could. This made taking care of her much easier, and with the help of several loving and caring people, Rebecca was able to stay at home for seven years.
Sadly, her needs became more than her family and loving caregivers could provide. Rebecca then moved to Parkview Care Center in Osborne, KS, where she received excellent care for the last 3 years of her life.
Rebecca is survived by her husband, Woodrow Warren; son, Luke Warren; sister, Marie (Vaugn) Marcum; brothers Jerry (Karol) Wilson, Kelly (Marie) Wilson, all living in WaKeeney, Kansas, and brother Jeff (Gwen) Wilson of Dubuque, Iowa. Rebecca is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and loving friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Bill and Martha Wilson, and brother, Ross Wilson.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, March 30th, at the Western Kansas Saloon Bar & Grill, 121 N Main St, WaKeeney, KS, from 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. The eulogy will be read at 1:00 p.m., with a private family burial to follow.
Memorials can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, or to Parkview Care Center. Donations may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 N. 12th St., WaKeeney, KS 67672.