Vicki Sue Reynolds passed away peacefully at home on November 24, 2023, after spending Thanksgiving Day surrounded by family.

Born January 29, 1964 in Winfield, Kansas, Vicki was the devoted daughter of Ronald and Carolyn (Kelley) Reynolds.   The first of her parents' three daughters and one of a thousand cousins in the collective Reynolds-Kelley clan, Vicki loved nothing more than to spend time with the people she loved:  her family and the people fortunate to share decades' long friendships with her.  Vicki set the standard on how to be the best daughter, sister, and aunt.  Vicki did more than just send a card on a holiday.  She was present in every sense of the word.  Vicki was known for her thoughtful handmade gifts, especially her carefully crafted photo albums and cross-stitch patterns.  But her greatest gift was the time she gave people.   If a friend or family member was in need, Vicki would hop in her car or even get on a plane to be with that person.   During their childhoods, Vicki spent individual weeks every summer focusing on her beloved nephews and niece, giving them all of her attention, treating them to adventures they would remember forever, and enriching their lives in countless ways.

Vicki graduated third in her class from Winfield High School in 1982. She graduated cum laude from Kansas State University in 1986 with a Bachelor of Art degree in Journalism and Mass Communication. Vicki made a career in a profession she loved,  Journalism.  She spent nearly twenty-five years as an editor for the Lincoln Journal Star. Vicki then returned home to Kansas to be  closer to family and work in journalism for several other newspapers including the Wichita Eagle, and McClatchy. In this essential work, Vicki understood well the importance of getting it right, and she made sure her reporters and newspapers got it right. Writing headlines, reviewing articles, and laying out her award-winning page designs, her work as a newspaper editor demonstrated Vicki's combined attributes of being a brilliant wordsmith and having a keen creative eye and impeccable taste,  all while following a straight and sure moral compass.

Vicki was always the most knowledgeable person about any subject matter, be it current events or the latest reality TV star.   Vicki had perfect handwriting and could spot a typo at twenty paces.  She was everyone's grammar expert.   She even taught classes in editing and design at Doane University in Nebraska.  But more important – at least to her -- Vicki would never fail to take time out of her busy schedule to help a friend with a writing project or review a student's essay.

Although she lived her adult life in Wichita, Kansas and Lincoln, Nebraska, Vicki never forgot her hometown of Winfield.  She returned home every year to camp with friends in the West Campground during the Walnut Valley Festival.   Vicki, who reached the highest possible level in Girl Scouts, was famous among friends for her s'mores-making technique, roasting marshmallows until they were literally on fire.    Vicki also had a sense of adventure and loved to travel.  She toured European capitals, cruised around the Mediterranean and Baltic Seas, and explored her Irish roots during a legendary trip to Ireland that generated one of many "Vicki-isms" (just ask us about Whistlin' Dan the horse).  She took road trips all over the United States, from the East Coast to the West Coast, and from the North to the South.

Vicki was all in on anything her friends wanted to do. In high school, she wore Hawaiian shirts while she and her best friends watched Magnum P.I.  She loved movies and would wait in line for hours with friends to get a good seat at the Wichita Public Library's presentation of the Oscar Shorts.   Vicki was the MVP of any trivia team and would only pretend to need help with finishing the New York Times crossword puzzle. She was renowned for her organization skills and being prepared for any occasion.  Her suitcase contained the perfect accessories to complete her outfit as well as those of her friends.  Vicki had a great laugh that made everyone laugh harder, kind words that made you feel better, and a gentle spirit that lifted everyone.

Vicki's family takes comfort in the knowledge that Vicki is now reunited with her father Ron, who adored Vicki even though she never really understood how cars worked.  In addition to her father Vicki was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents Thomas and Virginia Kelley, and her paternal grandparents Ralph and Barbara Reynolds.

Vicki will be lovingly remembered by her mother Carolyn; her sister Sharon (Reynolds) Deyoe and her husband Chris; her sister Michelle Reynolds; her nephew Derek Deyoe and his wife Courtney; her nephew Ryan Deyoe; her niece Peyton Reynolds; a great nephew due in April; her aunts, uncles, and cousins; and her many, many friends, all of whom will cherish their memories of this brilliant and generous soul.

Funeral service will be held at 10:00 A.M., Saturday, December 2, 2023 at Miles Funeral Service in Winfield. Interment will follow at Highland Cemetery. A visitation is scheduled at the funeral home for Friday evening from 4 to 8. The family will greet visitors from 5 to 7 that evening.

Vicki's family asks that contributions in her memory be made to the Cowley County Humane Society or the charity of the donor's choice. Contributions may be made through the funeral home.

Funeral services will be livestreamed and may be viewed at the following link: