Virginia Marie (Zodrow) Hickert-Almquist was born December 17, 1928 six miles northwest of Selden, KS on a farm know as the Schnavice place. Her parents were Leo and Elizabeth (Kamphaus) Zodrow. She moved several times with her parents in Sheridan County and attended rural schools. In 1938 the family moved to Decatur County where Virginia again attended rural grade schools until High School. She graduated from Decatur Community High School in May 1946. She took a normal training course, which prepared her for teaching children. She taught school at a two teacher school in Sequin, KS in 1946-47 school year. She also taught school at Plainview School, which was southwest of Oberlin, in the school years of 1947-48 and 1948-49. She became engaged to Marcellus Hickert on February 15, 1948. They met at a football game between Norton and Oberlin. Marcellus and some of his buddies came to sit in the Oberlin cheering section and cheered for Norton. This spared quite a confrontation, which later turned into a relationship. The two were married on May 11, 1949 in the Sacred Heart Church in Oberlin, KS. They made their home on a farm near Clayton, KS until 1951, when they moved to Oberlin. Virginia worked at the Decatur County Hospital for 17 years. Marcellus passed away on July 13, 1969 as a result of cancer. To this union were born six children; Kathie, Ray, Gus, Joan, Anne and Sue.
After Marcellus’ death, Virginia went back to college to get her business degree and started work as a bookkeeper for Oberlin Trailers Manufacturing and worked there for 5 years. Virginia met Lorrell Almquist while working there. The two were married on November 23, 1974. The family moved to Smith Center, KS on July 4, 1977. Virginia worked at Anderson Insurance Co. for one year. She then started work at the U.S.D. #237 Administration Office as Clerk of the Board and Secretary to the Superintendent. She retired on June 30, 1995 after 17 years. Lorrell passed away March 23, 2012.
Virginia loved her family more than anything. She was known as “Janey” to her siblings and nieces and nephews. She spent endless hours attending sporting events, dances, school concerts and every celebration imaginiable. She loved camping and spending summer days with her grandchildren. She will be known for her cooking skills, gardening, afghan making, genealogy research and scrapbooking. She was so good at making you feel like the most important person in the world when you were in her company.
Virginia passed away on Saturday, February 19, 2022 in Wichita, KS at the age of 93. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands Marcellus Hickert and Lorrell Almquist; brothers Elmer and Ozzie Zodrow; sister Cecilia Brown; infant grandchild Tasha Davidson and grandchildren Marcellus Jon Hickert and Jessica Shaffer.
She is survived by her children; Kathie (Monte) Davidson of Alta Vista, KS, Ray (Valerie) Hickert of Wichita, KS, Gus (Sharon) Hickert of Morland, KS, Joan Hickert of Hutchinson, KS, Anne (Tracy) Kingsbury of Smith Center, KS, Susan (Tim) Meyer of Smith Center, KS, step-children Sandy (Butch) Harris of Olathe, KS, Deb (Ron) Augustine of Hays, KS, brother Gary (Leola) Zodrow of Oberlin, KS, grandchildren, Marc (Michelle) Davidson, Amanda (Spencer) Levin, Matt (Terra) Davidson, Jonathan Hickert, Rhett (Christina) Hickert, Ashley (Jason) Keilman, Austin (Angela) Kingsbury, Andrea (Dakota) Frack, Addison (Brandt) Wolters; step-grandchildren Misti (Chris) Norris, Jennifer (Brad) Hallier, Angie (Matt) May, Tyler (Trisha) Augustine, Michele (Jim) Stoddard, Mike (Stephanie) Harris, Matt (Michelle) Harris and Mitchel (Carolyn) Harris; greatgrandchildren Cale, Haley, Logan & Carly Davidson; Mason, Kaylee & McKenna Levin; Leo, Gavin and Brinley Hickert; Christine Shaffer; Brynn and Karter Keilman; Keirstin, KaraJo, Kam & Jay Kingsbury; Ellis, Olive and Emery Frack; Ali and Kinzie Stoddard; Preston
and Miranda Harris; Andrew and Luke Harris; Connor and Hailey Harris; Madelyn, Josh and Abegail Norris; Laurelle, Joselyn and Landon Hallier; Katilyn, Lexi and Dakota May; and Avery, Ainslee and Afton Augustine.
Celebration of Life Services will be at 11:00 AM, Friday, March 4, 2022 at the Evangelical Free Church in Smith Center, KS.
Inurnment will follow in the Fairview Cemetery, Smith Center, KS.
The family requests memorial contributions to the Virginia Almq uist Memorial Fund and can be sent in care of the mortuary.
Arrangements are entrusted to Rentschler Family Mortuaries, Simmons-Rentschler, Smith Center, KS. To leave an online condolence visit www.rfmortuaries.com
