Denean Tkach

DeNean Tkach, loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother passed away October 27, 2021. She was born September 1, 1932, to Guy Leo and Juanita May (Chambers) Ankerholz in Hutchison, Kansas.DeNean met her husband, Stephen in 1950 while attending college at Kansas University. She earned a bachelor's degree in Occupational Therapy and married Stephen on May 8, 1954. They were able to enjoy a month-long honeymoon before Stephen's deployment serving our country in the US Army. After a six-month absence from one another, DeNean joined Stephen at Ladd Air Force base where they remained for one year. After leaving the Army, Stephen graduated from Kansas University Medical School in 1960 and accepted an Orthopedic Surgery residency in Oklahoma City. Stephen became a pioneer in total joint replacement. DeNean spent most of her life raising four very outgoing and rambunctious boys, taking care of the home, her husband and ultimately assisted with seven grandsons. She was always heavily involved in her sons' activities, including, Den Mother, school room mother, and team mom for many of their football, baseball, and wrestling teams.All four of DeNean's sons, as well as three of her grandsons, attended and graduated from Heritage Hall High School. She was instrumental in the growth of Heritage Hall School. DeNean was the first Heritage Hall Student Patron Association Board President. She was an involved member of Pen & Quill Book Club, Women's Medical Auxiliary, Medical Society Alliance, and P.E.O. Oklahoma Chapter. She also generously volunteered her time to friends, community and of course, family. DeNean was the first to help with any and every need and will be remembered for her selfless giving nature. She and Stephen were devoted members of Westminster Presbyterian Church for over 52 years and in recent years have attended Crossings Community Church.DeNean was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Donald Ankerholz; and a precious granddaughter, Meghan Michelle Tkach. She is survived by her husband, Stephen Tkach; sons, Michael David Tkach and wife Susan, Daniel Martin Tkach and wife Ingrid, Thomas Kelly Tkach and wife Kimberly, and Todd Eric Tkach and wife Lisa; grandsons, Tyler Tkach and wife Bobbee, Zachary Tkach and wife Erica, Christopher Kelly Tkach and wife Callie, Shaun David Tkach and wife Blair, Graham Stephen Tkach, Stephen Maxwell Tkach, and Benjamin Jesse Tkach; great-grandchildren, MareeJane Tkach (daughter of Tyler), Daniel Tkach (son of Tyler), James Kelly Tkach (son of Christopher).Services to honor DeNean's life, and the legacy of love she leaves, will be held at 10:00 AM in the Chapel of Crossings Community Church Friday, November 5, 2021 with interment to follow at Rose Hill Burial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the Heritage Hall Endowment Fund www.heritagehall.com/inmemoriam