Marjorie Jean (Niblock) Dechant, formerly of Hoxie
June 15, 1935 - September 10, 2023
Marjorie “Marge” Jean (Niblock) Dechant, 88, formerly of Hoxie, Kansas passed away in DeSoto, Kansas at the home of her son, Joe Dechant. Marge was born to Henry and Rachel (Stithem) Niblock on June 15, 1935, at the family home north of Studley, Kansas. She grew up on the farm with her three siblings.
Marge attended Bow Creek Elementary School and graduated from Sheridan County High School with the class of 1953. After graduation, she worked a short time in Hoxie and then moved to Hays to work.
She met Duane Dechant at a wedding dance. They both liked to dance the polka. On May 9, 1964, Marge and Duane were married in the St. Francis Cabrini Catholic Church, Hoxie, Kansas.
Marge and Duane lived in Hays and Morland after they were married. From Morland, they moved to Hoxie where they lived most of their life until 2010 when they moved to live with their son in the Olathe, KS area. They were blessed with a family of three children, Lisa, Karen, and Joe.
Marge enjoyed working at the Hungry Farmer, the Hoxie hospital as certified nursing assistant (CNA), the Hoxie Elks, and at the Mahanna Pharmacy for several years. She developed life-long friends at these jobs; she really enjoyed working with her co-workers as they always did practical jokes and really had fun. Marge also enjoyed babysitting for some very special kids that were always important to her and she loved. Marge and Duane loved to dance the polka and did so as often as possible.
Marge supported her children, enjoyed her grandchildren and was very involved in their lives. Some of the best memories were Karen’s kids coming and going many times a day across the street for treats or to spend time with her. After moving to Olathe she volunteered at Meadowlane Elementary and was able to do that for each grandkid that went there. Marge loved sports, she loved watching her grandkids activities and following professional teams. She always had a football or baseball game on TV. Her family was the most important thing in her life.
Marge is survived by her husband, Duane of DeSoto, Kansas; children, Joe Dechant and wife Crystal of DeSoto, Kansas, and Karen Karnes of Hoxie, Kansas; brother, Don Niblock; grandchildren, Isaiah Washington, Holden Karnes, Isabella Karnes, Brett Dechant, Jaxon Dechant, Polina Dechant, and Julianna Dechant.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Rachel Niblock; daughter, Lisa Ann Dechant; and sisters, Mary Harris, Alice Lewis and Elsie Wallsmith; brother, Henry Niblock Jr.; and brother-in-law, John Lewis; sister-in-law, Mary Niblock.
A funeral service is planned for Thursday, September 14, 2023, 10:30 a.m., at the Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home. Interment will take place following the service in the St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Cemetery, Hoxie, Kansas. Visitation will be held September 13, 2023, at the Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home, from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with family greeting friends from 5:30 p.m. -7:00 p.m.
Memorials are suggested to the Sheridan County Amusement Company where all the grandkids loved attending every summer and may be sent in care of Mickey-Leopold Funeral Home, P.O. Box 987, Hoxie, Kansas 67740.
Words of comfort and caring may be left at www.mickeyleopoldfuneral.com.