Mardis Ann Hess was born August 11, 1942 in Nowata, Oklahoma, the first daughter born to Mardis H. and Miriam (Courtney) Draper.  In 1946 her parents purchased the Wakita Herald and they relocated to Wakita, Oklahoma.  She grew up working alongside her parents helping with all aspects of the family business.  She completed all offices of the Rainbow Girls.  She graduated from Wakita School with the Class of 1960.  She received a Bachelor of Science Degree from Northwestern in Alva in 1964.  She began playing the piano and clarinet at a young age participating in the Warrior band and in the marching and concert band at Northwestern.  She was also active in the Home Economics Club and Sigma Kappa Sorority.

On August 8, 1964, Ann was united in marriage with Lonnie Hess at the United Methodist Church in Wakita.  They made their home in Moscow, Kansas where Ann began her teaching career.  She taught home economics/FACS and art at USD 209 in Moscow for 32 years. She also sold designer fabrics for Leiter Fabrics.  After Ann's father passed in February 1989, Ann and Lonnie traveled to Wakita every weekend to help Miriam with the newspaper.

After retiring in 1997, Ann and Lonnie moved back home to Wakita. The Wakita community was very important to Ann and she took every opportunity to support the community.  She was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church, where she shared her musical talents on the piano and organ and held office in the United Methodist Women.  She was active in Delta Kappa Gamma, Beta Sigma Phi, American Needlepoint Guild, P.E.O. GC Hugoton and P.E.O. BE Medford.

On February 8, 2024, Ann passed away St. Mary's Regional Medical Center in Enid, Oklahoma at the age of 81.  She was preceded in death by her parents.

Ann will be deeply missed by her husband, Lonnie; her sister, Martha Draper; numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and a host of friends.

Funeral service will be held 2:00 p.m. Thursday, February 15, 2024 at the United Methodist Church, 1579 Maple, Wakita, Oklahoma.  Friends may view from 10:30 a.m. to service at the church.

Memorials in memory of Ann may be made to the Community Health Center and can be sent in care of Prairie Rose Funeral Home, 602 E. Main St., Anthony, KS 67003.