Vicki L. Wheeler

“I think we dream so we don’t have to be apart for so long. If we’re in each other’s dreams, we can be together all the time.” - A.A. Milne

Vicki L. Wheeler (Carter), 67 of Independence, Kansas passed unexpectedly Sunday, September 3, 2023, at Labette Health in Independence.

Vicki was born February 26, 1955 in Wichita to Dean Clair and Patricia Louise (Byers) Carter. She spent her childhood in Wichita, growing up at her grandparents’ dairy- Maple Street Dairy. She attended Wichita Public Schools, where she graduated in 1972 from Wichita West High School.

On August 14, 1976, Vicki exchanged vows with Frank Wheeler in Wichita. Two daughters, Hillary (Nolen) and Breanne (Sanford) were born of this union. They would later divorce.

Vicki had a number of jobs, but for the main part of her career she was a 9-1-1 Sheriff’s Dispatcher for Franklin County, Kansas, where she served for 15 plus years. She would go on to dispatch for Osage County and again in Christian County, Missouri. After giving up the dispatching life, she was gainfully employed at the Nixa, Missouri Walmart before moving on to the Independence Walmart, where she worked until her retirement just a few short years ago.

Vicki loved her retirement, which gave her ample time to craft, sew, watch her favorite TV shows and travel with her daughter’s family. She loved listening to oldies music, especially folk singers such as John Denver, Anne Murray, the Mama’s and Papa’s and Peter, Paul and Mary. She was a collector of much, including snowmen, llamas, sunflowers and windmills. She never failed to find the beauty in a Kansas sunset or to stick her face in the rain as it fell in a thunderstorm. She was a self-proclaimed “font of worthless knowledge” and loved with all of her heart in her own way.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Survivors include her daughters, Hillary Nolen (Jared) of Wichita and Breanne Sanford (Charles) of Independence; three siblings, Sharron Stangle of Creedmoor, North Carolina, Dean Carter Jr. (Lana) of Fall River Lake and Steven Carter of Wichita; and five grandchildren- Collin and Cassidy, who were her “Bigs” and Kieran, Lauren and Madeline, who were her “Littles,” all of which lovingly referred to her as Nini or Nins; as well as numerous daughters and grandchildren of her heart.

Following Vicki’s wishes, there will not be a funeral service, but rather a celebration of life that will be held at a later date. Cremation services are being handled by Webb & Rodrick Chapel and Crematory.

To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.webbrodrickchapel,.com.