Keri Hicks

Keri Lyn (Harris) Hicks was born on Mother’s Day, May 14, 1961, at the Atlantic Memorial Hospital in Atlantic, IA, to Lloyd Robert Harris and Ardith Jean Mertes Harris. Keri passed away on November 27, 2021, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix, AZ.

Keri was baptized at the First Presbyterian Church in Adair, IA, and confirmed at the Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Anita, IA. She attended Anita Community Schools, graduating with the class of 1979, furthering her education at the University of Northern Iowa, and graduating in 1984. After her graduation, Keri moved to Phoenix, AZ, and taught at Isaac Middle school and Creighton Middle Schools for over 30 years. She completed her master’s degree in education at Arizona State University in 1999.

On April 26, 1986, Keri and Thomas James Hicks were united in marriage in Mesa, AZ. To this union two children were born, Graydon Lloyd Hicks of Chandler, AZ, and Kylie Jane Hicks of Phoenix, AZ.

In June 2012, one of Keri’s proudest moments was being the donor stem cells for her brother Tom in his fight against Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

Keri is survived by her husband, TJ Hicks of Phoenix, AZ; children Graydon (Carla Joy) Hicks of Chandler, AZ, and their children, Emma, Lilly, Emeri, and Natalie Lynn, Kylie Hicks and her son Liam Thomas of Phoenix, AZ. Her mother Ardith Harris of Anita, IA; sister Lori (Ryan) Glissmann of Anita, Jody (Kevin) Meyer of Des Moines, IA, and Michelle (Heath) Hartwig of Waterloo, IA; brothers-in-law Michael Hicks, John (Kathy) Hicks, and David Hicks; and many numerous nieces nephews, great nieces, nephews, aunts, and uncles.

Keri was preceded in death by her father, Lloyd Robert Harris; brother, SGM (ret) Thomas Roy Harris, nephew Kegan Leroy Meyer; grandnephew, Luka James Hodges; sister-in-law, Jane Hicks; and brother-in-law, Patrick Hicks.

A private graveside service will take place at Massena Cemetery, Massena, IA.

The staff of Schmidt Family Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.