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