Dee Ann Desair

Dee Ann “DeeAnn” (Bouchey) Desair, 77, of Hays, KS, passed away on June 20, 2025, at Via Christi Village in Hays. She was born on July 11, 1947, to Raymond “Buck” and Mary Alberta (McKisson) Bouchey in Hays. DeeAnn grew up in Palco, Kansas, and graduated from Palco High School. She married Claude Desair on January 26, 1963, and together they raised four daughters: Kelly, Dana, Megan and Erin.

Throughout her life, DeeAnn worked in a variety of roles including waitressing at the Palco Café, Veterinary assistant for Dave Elliston in Palco, UWASSA battery plant assembly line worker in Hays, and a cook for the Palco School District. Alongside her jobs, she also helped care for the family farm and loved her horses, cattle, and baby calves.

A true horsewoman and cattlewoman at heart, she enjoyed riding horses, participating in horse shows, and was a proud member of the Palco Saddle Club. She also loved watching horse racing, winning a horse-naming competition with the name "Cupid Hall". Yes, there is now a racehorse with her chosen name somewhere in the United States.

DeeAnn was known for her kind heart and fun-loving spirit. She enjoyed league bowling in her younger years, 8 ball, Bingo, and card games, rarely passing up a good game of Pitch. Auctions, casinos, slot machines, traveling and cruising with family were all part of the joy she found in life.

More than anything, DeeAnn loved being with her family. Her grandchildren brought her immense joy, while attending many games, musicals, plays, recitals, and concerts. She adored her loyal dachshund, Ruby. Ruby was indeed her 5th daughter. Her simple way of life, warmth, humor, and fun spirited personality will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

DeeAnn is survived by Claude Desair; daughters, Kelly (Dave) Schonthaler of Plainville, KS, Dana (Shawn) Horton of Palco, Megan (Jason) Brin of Plainville, and Erin (Joe) Wells of Medicine Lodge, KS; brother, William “Bill” (Barbara) Bouchey of St. Louis, MO; ten grandchildren: Asia (Adrian Wolf) Schonthaler, Heather (James) Balthazor, Haley (Alex) Wilson, Chelsie (Caden) Helberg, Aubrey (Asael) Horton-Lara, Bailey (Grant Weinhold) Brin, Brandon Brin, Braxton Wells, Easton Wells, Eric (Emily Fennewald) Wells; ten great-grandchildren: Liam Balthazor, Brooks Balthazor, Carsen Balthazor, Auggie Wilson, Nyx Wilson, Tate Wolf, Shawn Helberg, Gavin Helberg, Wrenley Weinhold, Ellie Jo Wells; and her beloved dog, Ruby.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Buck and Alberta Bouchey; and great-granddaughter, Parker Joelle Balthazor.

A Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at 10:30AM at the Palco Methodist Church. Burial will follow at the Pleasantview Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Monday, 5-8PM with the family receiving friends 5-7PM at the funeral home in Plainville.

Memorials are suggested to St. Jude Children’s Hospital (www.stjude.org/donate) and may be sent to Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 320 SW 2nd, Plainville, KS 67663.