Anita Joan Focke

Anita (Kastens) Focke, 94 of Colby Kansas, passed away May 19th, 2025, at Hays Medical Center. She was born January 30, 1931, in Rawlins County to Albert and Louise (Carstens) Kastens, being the last of nine children.

Anita was baptized and confirmed into the Christian faith at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ludell, Kansas. She graduated from Atwood High School in 1948.

On January 31, 1951, Anita was united in marriage to Keith Focke in Ludell, Kansas. They were blessed with four children, Debra, Dwight, Lynette, and Alan.

Anita worked at USDA/Production and Marketing Administration until the birth of Debbie. She then stayed home to raise her children.

Keith and Anita moved to Levant in 1963 and then to Colby in 1965, where Anita went to work at the Good Samaritan Center, and later at the ASCS office.

In March of 1980, Keith and Anita moved to West Plains, MO where Anita worked for the ASCS offices, retiring in 1992. She then served as church secretary at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in West Plains. They returned to Colby in May of 2004 to be close to their family. Keith passed away within a week of their return. Anita continued to live in her home until April 1, 2025, when she entered Prairie Senior.

Anita was preceded in death by her husband Keith, daughter Debbie Tittel, her parents, her in-laws, Bernhard and Marie (Heussman) Focke, siblings, Lucile Wicke, Esther Riekenberg, Edna Wicke, Doris Hayes, Irene Kastens, Louise Rice, Albert Kastens, and Joyce Domsch.

She is survived by her children, Dwight (Susan) Focke, Lynette (Rick) Ritter, Alan (Kelly) Focke, son in law Doug (Linda) Tittel, 13 grandchildren, Paul (Caroline) Tittel, Mike (Brianna) Tittel, Melissa (Trae) Rickford, Britt (Amanda) Focke, Tiffany (Ryan) Stevenson, Amber (Cory) Haag, Sarah (Michael) Sis, Aaron (Jessica) Dempewolf, Brandon (Brooke) Ritter, Amber (Britton) Scott, Aime (Garrit) Peters, Shannon (Casey) Shaw, Kelsey (Michael) Hawkins, and 37 great grandchildren.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 - 7:00 pm on Friday, May 23, 2025, at Baalmann Mortuary in Colby. A graveside service will be held at 9:00 am Saturday, May 24, 2025, at Fairview Cemetery in Atwood, Kansas. A memorial service will follow at 10:30 am at Trinity Lutheran Church in Colby. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church in Colby or Renew Ludell Fund and sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or condolences visit baalmannmortuary.com