Caroline Nancy Hedrick, age 92 died on January 15, 2024 at Providence Medical Center, Kansas City, Ks. She was born April 21, 1931 to Walter M. and Marie (Bucher) Gist in Leavenworth Kansas. She was the first baby girl born at Cushing Hospital 711 Marshall St. Caroline married Melvin Lee Hedrick on October 18, 1952 in Leavenworth.  She belonged to the Eastern Star and The Daughters of the American Revolution.  She stayed active up until her death and was always reading, working on Word Search puzzles and jigsaw puzzles.  Caroline worked for 40 years at Cushing Hospital and Dr. Diallo, MD for 10 years, all doing medical insurance billing.  One of Caroline's pride and joy was her grandson Austin L Wells, Sr. and her great grandson Austin L Wells, Jr. and live in Lansing, Ks.
She is preceded in death by her husband Melvin Hedrick and brother Walter M Gist, Jr.
Survived by daughters Lisa (Paul) Plants, Lansing and Kathie Hedrick, North Carolina. Niece Debra Burns, Plano Texas and Nephew Dennis (Vicki) Gist, and sister-in-law Nadine Gist, Festus, Missouri. Caroline's 3rd great grandfather, George W Gist staked off and marked the claims, surveyed the city of Leavenworth in 1854.  He was elected the 1st President (mayor) of Leavenworth. Graveside service will be held in the spring. Memorials to First United Methodist Church or Childrens Mercy Hospital.