Patsy "Okie" Hees

Patsy Dean "Okie" Hees, age 60, of Hartsburg, Mo., passed away peacefully Friday, February 27, 2026, at Capital Region Medical Center, with her daughter by her side.

She was born on August 18, 1965, in Jefferson City, Mo., the middle of five children born to Clarence William and Harriett Jeannette (Smith) Bryan. Okie was a 1984 graduate of Cole County R-V in Eugene. She devoted 23 years to the Missouri Department of Conservation where she worked as an equipment operator and truly enjoyed the work she accomplished.

Discovering her love for horses at an early age, Okie embraced the cowgirl way of life and never looked back. She found her greatest joy in the saddle, riding alongside friends and family on trail rides through Mokane, Mo., Clinton, Ark., and on the memorable Hoof-a-Thon from Jefferson City to Eldon, Mo., among many other adventures. Okie carried the spirit of a true cowgirl; she was hardworking, resilient, and spirited, always meeting the demands of the lifestyle with grace, determination, and an unmistakable sense of joy.

One of her best attributes was her authenticity. You never had to wonder where you stood with Okie. She was outspoken and a little bit feisty, yet she was always kind in her delivery. She had a generous spirit and remained a dependable and steadfast pillar for many. She deeply cared about the people (and animals) in her life and made sure they knew how important they were to her.

Okie's greatest passion was her family. Her motto in life was always "kids, horses, men" – in that order. She took immense pride in her daughters, teaching them to weather life's storms with the same strength and resilience she carried within herself. Okie loved fiercely, stood firm in her convictions, and never hesitated to fight for what she believed in.

She adored her grandchildren and treasured the everyday moments they shared. Simple traditions became lasting memories in her presence. From renting movies at Blockbuster and enjoying root beer floats with her daughters, to watching classic black-and-white Western films and The Price Is Right with her grandkids, even the simplest moments seemed special.

As her daughter so eloquently wrote, "She rode through life with grit in her boots, fire in her soul, and love that ran deeper than the ocean. Cowgirls don't die; they ride away in the sky." Okie will be immensely missed by all who were blessed to know and be loved by her.

She is survived by her life partner, Marlon Leon Hackman; daughters, Jeannette Hees of Jefferson City, and Charlene Allee (Chris) of Henley, Mo.; father, Clarence Bryan of Henley, Mo.; siblings, Linda Bryan, Sherry Lewis, and Gilbert Bryan (Deanna), all of Henley, Mo., and Chance Williams (Lance), of Jefferson City, Mo.; grandchildren, Tanner Hansen, Bentley Hees, and Radlee Allee; her chihuahua, Sassy; and beloved horse, Chubbs.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Harriett; and her Boston Terrier pups, Ruger and Bo.

Per Okie's wishes, a cowgirl celebration of life will be held at a later date, to be determined.

To honor Okie's love of horses, memorial contributions are suggested to the Missouri Forget-Me-Not Horse Rescue & Sanctuary, 1025 Heritage Drive, Linn Creek, MO 65052.

Funeral arrangements are under the care of Freeman Mortuary.