Alice LaVone Hart

Alice LaVone Kimmel Hart, 93, of Wichita passed away peacefully on September 11, 2026. Alice lived a beautiful life centered around her family. She was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother whose warmth and kindness touched all of her family. She was the faithful wife of Donald Hart until his passing in 1983.

Alice attended McCormick Elementary, Allison Junior High, and graduated from North High School in 1951. She met her husband, Don, when they both worked at Beech Aircraft. After their marriage in 1953, they had four children. Alice was always a loving and kind mother, watching out for her children’s best interests. She regularly volunteered to be Room Mother, Cub Scout and Girl Scout Leader, and Sunday School Leader. She was an avid reader and passed along her love of reading to her children who remember regular visits to the Wichita Public Library in their growing years. Alice enjoyed birds and nature, history, and was a docent at Wichita’s Old Cowtown for many years. She had a fondness for art, creating her own oil paintings and having an active appreciation for the art of others.

Alice had a special talent in the kitchen and her family remembers her delicious meals and especially her famous pies. Her pies were more than dessert; they were a labor of love and a treasured part of the family gatherings she loved the most.

Alice is survived by her children, Jeff Hart, Monica Coen, Marlene (Michael Lemanski) Hart, and Barbara Rikli. In addition, six grandchildren: Jeanette (Daniel) Clement, Jessica (Matt) Allen, Emili Rikli, Jennifer (Kyle) Fishman, Justin (Erin) Coen, and Natalie (Alex) Wilburn. She is also survived by her nephew, Bryan Appleby; her niece, Vicki Winters; and eight great-grandchildren. Her husband, Donald Ray Hart, predeceased her as did her parents Alta and Thomas Kimmel and her siblings, Avis Gribble, Bud Kimmel, and Joyce Appleby.

Alice’s life will be celebrated in a private family ceremony. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Wichita Library Foundation, 711 West Second Street North, Wichita, KS 67203.