Vanessa Ann Heinrichs, 34, was born at Saint Catherine Hospital in Garden City, KS on February 7, 1991. She passed away peacefully on January 16, 2026 from Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome.

Vanessa spent her school years in Ulysses, Kansas then moved to a group home in Hays, Kansas. She had sparkly blue eyes which usually contained a glint of mischief. Vanessa's favorite things were strings of beads and food. She was a very interested "supervisor" in the kitchen while food was being prepared. One of her gifts was having a memory to find treasures she had hidden.

She will be greatly missed by family, her housemates and staff at DSNWK (Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas) and the special helpers throughout her life.

God loaned Vanessa to us for a little while and we are grateful.

She is survived by her parents, Valerie Dietterich (John) of Ransom, and Kendall Heinrichs (Jana) of Wichita; brother Logan Heinrichs of Wichita; and grandmother, Virginia Dietterich of Ransom.

Vanessa was preceded in death by her grandparents, John Dietterich, Lowell and Bonnie Heinrichs, and Uncle Rob Dietterich.

A graveside service will be held for the immediate family at the Ransom Cemetery followed by a memorial service at the Ransom First Mennonite Church on January 31, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. with a meal to follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas or Midwest Transplant Network.

Words of comfort and support may be left for the family by signing the guestbook.

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