After forty feisty years, on April 23, 2021, Amanda Thacker was taken home to be with her mom and dad in heaven.  Amanda fought a courageous battle against cancer for one short year.  It was with the best attitude, strongest will, and the loving support of her closest friends and family that she found herself facing the decision to be happy and enjoy the precious time she had left.  (Which she did with grace, cold hard honesty, and a positive attitude).

Amanda Sue Thacker was born on December 15, 1980, to James (Jim) & Glenda Thacker.  She was one of the last babies to be born at the Horton Community Hospital.  Amanda graduated from Horton High School in 1998.  Amanda was a dedicated hard worker at whatever she did in life.  She spent the last 14 years “rocking” every position, most recently Supervisor at Carlos O’ Kelly’s in Topeka. 

Amanda had a very contagious and unique laugh that everyone would be sure to hear and love.  Anyone who knew Amanda would know she was a HUGE LeBron James fan.  Amanda and her mom enjoyed going to as many games as they could.  Amanda had a way of getting her mom to do things no one else could, for example, parasailing!   She also enjoyed spoiling her niece, Tesia, with whom she shared an incredibly special bond with.  They would spend many days and nights laughing, being ornery, and just having fun.  Amanda was the best Aunt Nana Creedence could ever ask for.  Even in her times of illness, she would muster up the energy and strength to play with him.  She quickly taught him “ring around the rosy,” let him lead her around the house by her hoodie strings, and she would give him as many snuggles as he would hold still for. 

Amanda and her sister, Natasha, had quite the list of shenanigans in their lifetime also.  During her childhood she would tag along with Natasha and her best friend, Tina; where she quickly gained the nickname “Speed Bump.”  Natasha was kind enough to share her wise advice and bad influences with Amanda.  The two of them spent the last year together every day, where the sister bond continued to grow even through the toughest of times.  Amanda was a “PRO” with tiny home knowledge, and two years ago she finally achieved her dream of owning her own.  Amanda enjoyed collecting Gingerbread Man memorabilia, Popeye memorabilia, and ALL THINGS LeBron.  Amanda had a fiery spirit, a heart of gold, stubbornness from a long line of genetics, a strong mind, and a faith that whatever was to come would be ok.  Amanda received a special blessing from her chaplain while at home, which brought her a sense of peace and comfort. 

Amanda leaves behind her sister, Natasha Gladden & “Brother” Justin Gladden; niece, Tesia Thacker; great-nephew, Creedence Cole; nephew, Logan Gladden; close friend. Sherri Stallbaumer; & several aunts, uncles, & cousins.  Amanda was greeted in heaven by her parents, Jim & Glenda Thacker; infant brother, James Matthew; maternal grandparents, Glenn & Helen Weidman; paternal grandparents, Raymond & Gladie Lois “Maggie” Thacker; uncle Marion Thacker; dear friend, Jerome Travis; and her beloved dachshunds, Willabie William & Lillian Ann Louise.

The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to the staff at NEK Home Health & Hospice.  A special thank you to Abby, Charlie, Holly, Jerry, Sarah, Edna, and Fonda; you will always hold a special place in our hearts.  To the staff “behind the scenes,” we appreciate your hard work and dedication to improving the lives of not only the patient, but also the family.

Amanda’s wish was to be honored with a memorial service followed by a celebration of life which will be held at Country Crossing Wedding & Events Center located at 1225 120th Street, Horton, Ks on Saturday, May 15th, at 3 p.m.  There will be food and live music to follow directly after the memorial service.  Memorial contributions will be determined at a later date and may be sent in care of the funeral home Dishon-Maple-Chaney Mortuary. A special message may be sent to the family at www.dishon-maple-chaney.com