Debbie was family to me and Randy. She was a cherished friend and I will miss her so much! We had the best time shopping for fabric and sharing projects. We talked of our families and our Faith in Jesus Christ. Prayer was a huge part of Debbie’s life. She always asked her circle of friends to pray pray pray because she knew the Power of Prayer. My life is richer because of my friendship with Debbie. I’ll see you again my friend.
Deborah K. Hedges
Deborah “Debbie” Kay Hedges, 76 years old of Bates City, Missouri, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 4, 2026, at home, surrounded by her husband and three daughters. She battled pancreatic cancer in 2016 and then again in 2025 before being admitted into Hospice on Friday, September 25, 2026.
Debbie was born on August 20, 1950, in Kansas City, KS, the daughter of Lee and Margaret Kesner. She was married to her high school sweetheart, Robert Hedges, for 57 years. They met while attending Truman High School and married the year after they graduated. She spent the early years of their marriage as a stay-at-home mom raising their three daughters before enjoying a long career as a bookkeeper and office manager at Croft Trailer Supply. She retired at the age of 66 after her first cancer diagnosis. After successfully beating cancer, she enjoyed the next 10 years making quilts, traveling, and enjoying her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her family was everything to her, she rarely missed a sporting event and hosting every holiday for the whole family. She considered the last ten years of her life as bonus years and she cherished every moment. She gave all credit to God for giving her ten extra years with family and friends.
Debbie was preceded in death by her parents, Lee and Margaret Kesner, of Eldridge, MO.
Her survivors include her husband, Robert Hedges of Bates City, MO; her brothers Jerry Kesner of Eldridge, MO and Don Kesner of Phoenix, AZ; her sister Wanda Gaunce of Baldwin City, KS; her daughters Christy Russell and husband Chris of Odessa, MO; Melanie Karsten and husband Kris of Thousand Oaks, CA; and Jennifer Wild and husband Matt of Blue Springs, MO. Surviving grandchildren include Cyndi Foxworthy and husband Adam of Grain Valley, MO; Corey Russell of Odessa, MO; Brady, Alex, and Sam Karsten of Thousand Oaks, CA; Joshua and Melissa Wild of Blue Springs, MO; and three great-grandchildren: Emma and Cooper Foxworthy of Grain Valley, MO; and Rylee Russell of Grain Valley, MO.
Per her wishes, Debbie will be cremated. A memorial service will be held Monday, October 12, 2026 at Valley Moments, 517 Gregg St, Grain Valley, MO 64029. The family will receive friends from 6:00pm until the service starts at 7:00pm. Memorial contributions may be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network at www.pancan.org.
She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
Obituary submitted by the family.
Arrangements by Royer Funeral Home in Oak Grove, Missouri
Condolences
Wendy Leslie Marge Bass Oh how I loved that woman. I’d known her since 1966, having met at Truman High School. She was the sweetest, most giving woman I’d ever known. We shared many hours together in high school, and then spent fun times when our families got together. Years later Debbie and I began to make quilts. .I will miss her so very much but I will remember and treasure our memories of the past 60 years of friendship RIP my precious friend
Andrea Denman Aunt Debbie. Every memory I have of my aunt is of her smiling, sometimes self deprecating, sometimes amused at. someone’s story but always that smile. She was the kindest, gentlest person who invited me to stay in summer months where she would always have the best sweet tea and Nestlé’s Tollhouse cookies. My life took me farther away but those memories of her are strong and her beautiful family know how blessed we all were to have her in our lives. My deepest condolences for those left behind.