Obituary: Delitta ‘Dee’ Fields

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3/30/1958 – 2/5/2026
Ozawkie

Delitta “Dee” Fields, 67, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away surrounded by loved ones on February 5, 2026. Dee courageously battled cancer to remission but succumbed to treatment complications. She was grateful for the healthcare she received by so many throughout her long fight.

Dee was born in Kingman, KS on March 30, 1958, the daughter of Jerry O. and Delmadean (Wolf) Bryant. She graduated from Ensign High School in 1976, then attended Dodge City Community College prior to her first marriage to Rod Kinkelaar and birth of her first child Aaron Kinkelaar. Later divorced, Dee then met and married Galen Fields in 1982 and moved to a farm near Bucklin, KS. There they raised their family, Aaron and daughters Gayla and Aimee Fields, and made the farm their home until 2020. That year, Dee and Galen relocated to Ozawkie, KS, where they enjoyed peaceful views of Perry Lake from their lake house.

Dee worked at several jobs to provide for her family, including many businesses located on Main Street in Bucklin, KS. Of them, her biggest source of pride was 11 years as the owner of Fields of Flowers, creating beautiful arrangements for weddings, funerals, and holidays. During this time, she also hosted and taught a community art class named Vino and Van Gogh. She also enjoyed roles of service to the public, including administrative assistant at Ford County Sherrif’s Office, activities coordinator at Hill Top House nursing home, and Bucklin Public Schools as a para and cook. She loved working with children, and for many years was the director of Noah’s Arc Daycare by Bucklin United Methodist Church.

Lake life inspired Dee to embark on a new pursuit, combining her incredible creativity and love for children as the published author and illustrator of the Frogville children’s book series. The themes of the books are friends, family, good food (like Dee’s famous pizza) and slowing down to enjoy life – all things so important to Dee. The series is a legacy project dedicated to her grandchildren and already cherished by many.

Dee is survived by her husband of 43 years, Galen Fields; sister Delynda (David) Keefe; brother Jarry Bryant; son Aaron (Kerry) Kinkelaar; daughter Gayla (Evar) Ukpokodu; daughter Aimee (Brandon) Venson; in-law siblings Roy and Jane Baker, and Ken and Patti Fields, and numerous beloved nieces, nephews, and other extended family. Her legacy continues through her beloved grandchildren: Amara Aberle, Bailey Kinkelaar, Larsen Kinkelaar, Elana Ukpokodu, Kieran Ukpokodu, Rylee Venson, and Karter Venson. Dee is preceded in death by her parents Jerry O. Bryant and Delmadean “Honey” Wills, and in-law parents Vesta and Jim Strader, sister and brother-in-law Derise and Stan Unruh, as well as 4 grandbaby angels that Dee is holding in heaven.

A celebration of life is expected to be held this spring in the Dodge City, KS area with details to follow. Donations in honor of Dee can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Hill Top House nursing home in Bucklin, KS. Donations can be made care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana Street, Lawrence, Kansas 66044.


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