Violet Marie "Vi" Kimsey, 98, of Hutchinson, died January 12, 2024, at Thorne Care Center. She was born September 12, 1925, in Mountain Grove, MO, to Elmer Burgess and Amanda Jane (Jarrett) Butcher. Vi was raised in Arkansas City by her mother and stepfather, Jay David Mott, and grandparents, Steward and Stella Jarrett.
She attended Arkansas City High School and worked at Woolworth’s during her after-school hours. Just prior to graduating, Vi married Vernon J Kimsey on May 12, 1944, in Arkansas City, while he was on leave from the Army Air Corps. Their honeymoon was brief, as he was shortly thereafter called to war. Vi kept busy working as a “Rosie the Riveter” on military airplanes in California with four of her high school friends.
After Vernon returned home in 1945, they established their first home in Arkansas City, where their first daughter, Vicki Sue, was born. Valorie Joyce was born in Wellington, and then Kay arrived after the family moved to Medicine Lodge in 1953, where they lived for 63 years.
Vi was well-known around Medicine Lodge. She worked at Ben Franklin, Howard’s Food Store, Paradise Garden Floral and Greenhouse, and did volunteer work with the Hospital Auxiliary, V.F.W. Auxiliary, and First Christian Church, of which she and Vernon were members. They were also active in the bowling league. She also enjoyed reading and jigsaw puzzles, and loved her flower garden and traveling to Germany, Washington D.C., and Yellowstone.
Vi is survived by: her daughters, Vicki Singer and husband Peter of Germany, Valorie Joyce Clark and husband Keith of Helena, MT, Kay Jones of Hutchinson; 6 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; 2 step great-grandchildren; 5 great-great-grandchildren; half-brothers, Don and Dwayne Butcher of Springfield, MO; and many extended family members.
She was preceded in death by: her parents; sister, Carol Carroll; brother, Clifford Butcher; and stepsister, Francis McMann.
Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 27, 2024, at First Christian Church, 300 S. Main St., Medicine Lodge. Burial will follow in Highland Cemetery.
Friends may view from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at Elliott Mortuary, or from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Saturday, at First Christian Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Christian Church, Lincoln Library, or Leisure Time Center, all of Medicine Lodge, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.