Leota Ellis (Youngs) Hickert was born March 29, 1928, to Chester (Chet) G. Youngs and Lola (Smith) Youngs at Hoyt, Colorado.  Leota passed away January 28, 2022, in Akron, CO, at home.  Leota's mother died shortly after giving birth and she was raised by her paternal grandparents until age 4, when Chet married Opal (Nokes) Youngs.  The Youngs lived in western Kansas where Leota attended and was active in sports, girl reserves, band and choir at Lenora High School.

Leota married the love of her life, John (Jay) J. Hickert at St. Joseph's Catholic church in New Almelo, KS, on January 29, 1948.  In 1950, they moved near Anton, CO to farm dry land wheat as a sharecropper, for Jay's aunt and uncle.  Jay and Leota raised four daughters and two sons, Patricia Ann (Patty or Pat), John Michael (died in infancy), Roger William, John Joseph, Jr., Rose Marie, Mary Opal, and Michelle Charlene.  In 1977 they moved into the home they built together in Akron.  They had a second home at Lake McConaughy, NE, where they spent many weekends with family and friends during the summer months.  Eventually, they sold the lake house and purchased a second home in Goodyear, AZ, where they spent their winters.

Leota was a loving and loyal wife, mother, and fun-loving friend.  Caring for their home, helping Jay with farming needs, and raising the six children was her full-time job early in their marriage.  Leota was well known for her baking and cooking from scratch, especially bread, sticky cinnamon and orange rolls, cream and berry pies, fried chicken, cranberry Christmas cake, jelly, and her chocolate cake with caramel frosting.  Leota was also an avid bridge card player and was active in ladies bridge clubs in Anton and Akron.  Leota continued playing bridge with a group of close friends up until the last few months of her life.  She especially enjoyed spending time with family and friends at Lake McConaughy and fishing with Jay.

Leota was a member of the St. Joseph Altar & Rosary Society, The Anton Ladies Club, the Anton ladies Tuesday Morning Bowling league, the Akron Elk's Does, and the Alpha Nu Sorority.  She served on the St. Joseph Church Council for a number of years.

Leota is survived by her six children, Patricia and husband Larry James of Adamstown, MD, Roger and wife Diane of Anton, CO, John Jr. and wife Wendy of Sterling, CO, Rose and husband Dr. Charles Giebel of Highlands Ranch, CO, Mary Brady of Centennial, CO, and Michelle Hickert of Akron, CO; 14 grandchildren; 23 great grandchildren; her brother, Dennis Youngs of McCook, NE and numerous nieces and nephews.

Leota was preceded in death by her beloved husband, John (Jay) Joseph Hickert, an infant son, John Michael, her mother, Lola (Smith) Youngs, her parents Chet and Opal (Nokes) Youngs, and brother Darrel Youngs, sisters Harriet Johnson and Marie Ball and brother Daniel Ray.

Rosary (Feb. 6th at 5 p.m.) and funeral mass (Feb. 7th at 10 a.m.) will be held at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Akron, CO.   Memorial donations may be made in Leota's name to the Colorado FFA Foundation (checks made to the Colorado FFA Foundation).  Bowin Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.