Anna Marie (Schenk) Hecht, 90, died on January 6, 2021, in Emporia, Kansas.

Anna Marie, or Marie, was born in Coldwater, Kansas on November 7, 1930, to August W. and Mabel (Schultz) Schenk, joining her older brothers Willis and Clarence on the family farm twelve miles southeast of Coldwater in Eastern Comanche County, Kansas. A younger brother, Martin Leroy, completed the family in 1935. Marie's mother, Mabel, was one of sixteen children of Cornelius Tobias and Anna (Voth) Schultz, raised in and around Comanche County, so Marie was blessed with many extended family members close by for much of her life. Marie also spoke fondly of the time she spent with her other grandparents, Fred J. and Marie Sophie (Moeller) Schenk, at their home in Coldwater.

Marie attended New Eden Country School a few miles from her home, riding a horse there and back every day (and often racing her horse with her friends, including Marjorie Lee (Belcher) Cowman, on the way home).  She graduated from Coldwater High School in 1948.

Marie attended Salt City Business College in Hutchinson, Kansas. She got to know her future husband, Eldon O. Hecht, sharing rides with him and other Coldwater students driving back and forth to Hutchinson. The pair eloped and were married on May 6, 1949. They returned to Coldwater to make their home and raise four children, Rhonda, Sharon, Nancy and Scott.  Along the way, Marie assisted Eldon in various family businesses, including their real estate and auction company and veterinary supply store. She also worked for the U. S. Postal Service for many years, most of which she served as the postmaster in Wilmore, Kansas, retiring in 1992.

Eldon and Marie were married for nearly 64 years. After Eldon died in April 2013, Marie moved to Emporia, Kansas, near her daughter Sharon.  Over these last several years, Sharon helped Marie and spent much time with her.

Marie was a member of Prairie Vale Friends Church for 29 years, and she was a member of the Coldwater United Methodist Church for more than 40 years. She was active in those churches and always quick to lend a hand or bring a lemon meringue pie.

Marie's survivors include her children, Rhonda (Jerry) Canady of Anderson, IN, Sharon (Bart) Laib of Emporia, KS, Nancy (Mitch) Reece of Wichita, KS, and Scott (Shelley) Hecht of Kansas City, MO. Marie was blessed with 12 grandchildren: Nathaniel and Gabe Canady and Caitlynn Carpenter; Andrew, Rian, and Eric Roland; Stephen and Brianna Reece and Malayia Decker; and Hannah, Jake and Ally Hecht; along with 5 great grandchildren: Isaiah and Jude Canady; Sam Waters; and, Asher and Ella Carpenter.

Marie was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, and Eldon.

Calling times are from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 12, 2021, at Hatfield-Prusa Funeral Home, Coldwater, KS.

A private family graveside will be held at Crown Hill Cemetery in Coldwater, KS.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Comanche County Hospital in care of Hatfield-Prusa Funeral Home, P.O. Box 417, Coldwater, KS 67029.