Jacqueline Claire Oakes

Jacqueline Claire (LaPorte) Oakes

On May 31, 2025, Jacqueline Claire (LaPorte) Oakes, 91, of Independence, died peacefully with all of her family surrounding her, especially the love of her life, Bill. Jacque was born on January 19, 1934, in Wichita, Kansas, to Claire and Delta (Hughes) LaPorte. Jacque was an only child and was the most treasured daughter. Her father worked on the Santa Fe Railroad and her mother worked for Sears and Roebuck. Jacque attended Wichita North High School and then went on to Wichita State University where she earned a dual degree in Business/Education with honors. There was a certain handsome gentleman that caught her eye, her senior year at Wichita North. Five years later she was united in marriage to Bill (William) Oakes on April 8, 1955. To this union, they were blessed with two children, Brad and Lesley. In 1957, Bill and Jacque purchased the bank in Yates Center, Kansas. When they first moved to Yates Center, Jacque worked for Clyde Hill an attorney and state legislator in Yates Center. After Brad and Lesley were born, she took time to raise her family. She always followed and supported her kids in all of their activities and sporting events. Jacque was on the Yates Center School Board for 15 years. She was involved with many major school issues. In 1980, Jacque began her career as a lobbyist, lobbying for SQE (Schools for Quality Education) and did contract lobbying for six other businesses across the state of Kansas. In 1984, they purchased the First National Bank of Independence and Elk City, Kansas.

She sat on the board at the bank for over 30 years. She was an active member of the Independence Presbyterian church, where she actively attended church and bible study. She loved to read books, magazines, and newspapers. She also loved to discuss the daily news and politics. In her earlier years, she loved to exercise by either jogging or going on daily walks. Her pride and joy was her family, they always came first.

Jacque was preceded in death by her parents, Claire and Delta LaPorte. She will be forever lovingly remembered by her husband, Bill children Brad (Tracy) Oakes, Independence, Kansas and Lesley (Marty) Fiser, Mahaska, KS. Grandchildren: Tyson (Shannon) Oakes, Independence, Kansas, Kyndon(Jenny) Oakes, Franklin, Tennessee, Nate (Alisa) Fiser, Shawnee, Kansas, Jessica (Derrick) Melton, Belleville, Kansas, and Ryan (Abbi) Fiser, Narka, Kansas. Great-Grandchildren: Brynlon Oakes, Kannon Oakes, Stetson Oakes, Bryson Frazier, Kate Fiser, Wesley Fiser, Kendall Melton, Colbie Melton, Macklin Fiser, Wynn Fiser, Faye Fiser, and Wesley Nguyen. Great great grandchildren: Ryder Frazier, and Aubrey Frazier. She will be missed by many, but most of all her family. Jacque and Bill were blessed with many achievements, but their greatest achievement was to have been married for over 70 years, a feat that very few of us can put on our life's resume.

Funeral Services for Jacquline will be Friday, June 6, 2025, at 11:00 A.M., at the First Presbyterian Church with burial to follow in Mount Hope Cemetery in Independence, Kansas. Memorials are highly suggested to the First Presbyterian Church or AWOL and may be left with the Chapel. The family will greet visitors from 5:00 – 7:00 P.M., on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at Webb & Rodrick Chapel and Crematory. To leave a special message for the family please visit www.webbrodrickchapel.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Webb & Rodrick Chapel and Crematory.