Obituary for Doris Elaine Heikes

Doris Elaine Heikes, age 91 of Decorah, Iowa and formerly of Leonardville, Kansas, passed away September 9, 2022 in Decorah.  

Doris was born on May 23, 1931 in Atchison, Kansas to John and Leona (Supernaugh) Keas. She grew up on the family dairy farm outside of Effingham with her older sister Roberta.  Besides being very involved in 4-H locally, the family traveled to state fairs in Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa and Missouri to show their Ayrshire dairy cattle.  Doris’ parents were role models for her involvement in 4-H and church later in her life.  

Doris graduated from Atchison County Community High School and Kansas State University.  In 1951 at K-State, Doris met Duane Heikes at Discipline Student Fellowship meetings.  They were married in the Farmington Christian Church on June 7, 1953.

During the early years of their marriage, Doris and Duane lived in several homes in the Riley and Leonardville Kansas area.  Their first and last home together was on the Heikes family farm in rural Leonardville. Besides being a farm wife, Doris was active in 4-H with her three children and the Leonardville United Methodist Church.  Her United Methodist Women involvement extended beyond the local church to district and conference activities where she met many new friends.  She continued the Keas family tradition of being a community 4-H club leader and supported not only her own children but others in “learning by doing”.  This work extended to holding numerous positions  on the Riley County Extension Council. 

During the 1970’s, Doris and Duane hosted exchange students from New Zealand, Germany and Switzerland as well as other short term exchange guests wanting to experience “life on a Kansas farm.”  Their love for travel took them many places around the world including visiting the homes and families of their exchange students.  

In 1990 Duane passed away after 37 years of marriage.  Doris continued to travel including visits to Hawaii, Alaska, Guatemala, Panama, India and Australia.  Daughter Lisa and Doris traveled once to Spain to see granddaughter Abbey who was studying there.

Doris moved from the farm to Decorah, Iowa in 1994 to be closer to daughter Jan and family.  She was a member of the Monday Club and the Decorah First United Methodist Church where she participated in United Methodist Women and Sister Parish along with volunteering weekly at the Decorah Area Food Pantry.  

Doris was an avid reader and always had a book nearby. She found great pleasure in her part time positions at the Leonardville Public Library and the Decorah Public Library.  

She is preceded in death by her husband Duane, infant daughter Renee, grandson Wade Breyfogle, parents and sister Roberta Decker.

Doris is survived by her children, Janice Heikes (Lee Zook), Decorah; Keith Heikes (Diane), Middleton, WI;  Lisa Breyfogle (Joe Rohlk), Holstein, IA;  6 grandchildren, Joel Zook (Johanna Bergan), Sam Zook (Tressa), Andrew Heikes (Peiying), Amy Hageman (Aric), Abbey Heikes, Molly Scadlock (Gene), and 5 great grandchildren; Margret and James Zook, Alan and Austin Hageman, and Wynonna Scadlock. 

A celebration of life will be held at the Decorah First United Methodist Church September 16th at 11:00 am.  Visitation will be one hour before the service.  Another celebration of life will be held October 21st at 10:30am at the Anderes-Pfeifley Funeral Home in Riley, KS with burial to follow at the  Leonardville United Methodist Cemetery.  Visitation will be one hour before the service.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Heifer International, Friends of the Decorah Public Library or Decorah Community Food Pantry.