Doris May Heptas, age 88, peacefully journeyed into Heaven on December 16, 2013 from complications due to Alzheimer’s. Visitation will be held from 9:30-10:30 on December 21, 2013, at Colonial Presbyterian Church, 95th & Wornall Rd., Kansas City, MO 64114, followed by a Celebration of Life service at 10:30 am.
She was born in LaDue, Mo. Doris graduated from Clinton High School in Clinton, Mo. at the age of 16 and moved with her sister, Ruth, to Kansas City. She worked at Hallmark before going to work at the B-25 Bomber Plant in Fairfax, Ks. where she delivered blue prints on roller skates. Doris then ventured out to the Mojave Desert to work at Cal Tech where she met the love of her life, Rudy Heptas. They married on April 8, 1945, in Pasadena, CA. They traveled back to LaDue, MO for their honeymoon and never left the area. She worked for various insurance companies in Kansas City before settling in to her most important profession – motherhood. She was the neighborhood Avon Sales Rep for many years and then cashiered at Sun Fresh (originally PayLess Grocery) from 1972 to 1989. Doris was a socialite and especially loved kids. Her passion for kids translated into several years of volunteer work at her grandkids’ schools. She also loved her church home at Colonial Presbyterian Church where she worshiped Jesus and served since 1956. Doris was a loyal Chiefs, Royals & KU Basketball fan as well as a devoted follower of her grandkids’ activities. She was also a member of Red Hatters and Red Bridge Social club. Never one to hold back her opinion, Doris will be remembered as a true friend, proud grandma and dedicated mother with a contagious, genuine smile for all. She was preceded in death by her parents, George W. (Pete) and Jessie Neil, her husband, Rudy Heptas, brother, LaVerne Neil, sisters – Ruth Lind & Estha Middaugh and her son, Charles (Charlie) Michael Heptas. She is survived by her daughter, Holly Gilday (Mark) of Leawood, daughter-in-law, Dee Ann Heptas of West Virginia, grandchildren – Jessie Gilday of Roeland Park, Tim Gilday of Kansas City, Anna Gilday of Oklahoma City and Charlie Heptas of Lawrence. We want to express our deepest appreciation to the staff of Heritage of Overland Park for their loving care the past 18 months as well as Crossroads Hospice who truly act as the hands of God.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Colonial Presbyterian Church, 9500 Wornall Rd, Kansas City, MO 64114. Assistance by Funeral Advocates LLC.