PLAINS – Elsie Ann Rickers, age 74, died Wednesday afternoon, December 12, 2007, at her Plains, Kansas, residence.

She was born June 29, 1933, at Phillipsburg, Kansas, the daughter of Leonard Oscar and Nina L. (Blessman) Abbott. As a young girl she attended the Liberal school system, graduating from Liberal High School in 1952.

On October 19, 1952, she married Harold Rickers at Liberal. After their marriage the couple made their home in Plains. In 1970, she began working for Southwest Medical Center, Liberal, as a nurses aide, later becoming a secretary to the Director of Nursing, retiring in 1996. During their marriage, Elsie and Harold enjoyed traveling to many parts of the United States, Europe, Canada, Australia and New Zeland. In addition to traveling, she enjoyed crafts, sewing, camping with her family, was involved in many athletic events, and was a cooking leader for 4-H.

She was a member of the United Methodist Church, Plains, and the Order of the Eastern Star, having served as a past Worthy Matron and a District Aide.

She is survived by:

Her husband, Harold Rickers of the home

Her children, Diana Brummer and husband, Dale of Dodge City, Kansas
Cheryl Rickers of Plains, Kansas
Brian Rickers and wife, Amanda of New Canaan, Connecticut

Five grandchildren, Luke, Olivia, and Wesley Rickers
Nikiya and Derek Brummer

She is preceded in death by two sons, William Russell "Bill" Rickers on April 22, 1967, and James Clay Pfister in 1981; a sister, Vivian Litterell; and her parents.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, December 17, 2007, at the United Methodist Church, Plains, with Reverend Steve Morgan presiding. Friends may call from 1:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Sunday at Fidler-Orme-Bachman Mortuary, Meade, Kansas. Interment will be in the Plains Cemetery, Plains.

The family would welcome memorials to the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association, United Methodist Church in care of the mortuary.