Montezuma - Willetta Marvelle Dirks Ullom Payne was born February 18, 1938 to Albert and Marie (Unruh) Dirks in Marion County, Kansas. She was the 12th of 12 children. She passed away on August 13, 2026 at Bethel Home in Montezuma, reaching the age of 88 years.

On August 4, 1958, she married Jack Ullom. Willetta loved helping Jack on their farm north of Montezuma. And even more, she loved cooking elaborate meals to take to the field. They had one daughter, Kimberly Marie.

She married Ralph Payne on March 7, 1998, They made their home in Scott City. After Ralph's passing in 2016, she moved to Lakin to be near Kim. Then in September 2024, she moved to Bethel Home in Montezuma.

Willetta loved her family and friends and would do anything for them. Her love language was to feed you and worry about you. She will be missed by many.

Willetta is survived by a daughter, Kim and husband, Garrett; stepchildren, Marjorie VanAernum, Steve (Valyndia) Payne, Janice (Darren) Wright, and Bill (Lynnette) Payne; grandchildren, Garrison Panzer, Hadley (Ryan)Panzer, Rhonda Ullom, Kristi(Brad) McCune, Brad (Kari)McCune, Brent McCune, Kara Norby, Stephanie (Howard) Fisher, Breigh Frederick, Linn (Penny) Gorman, Chris (Kristi) Gorman, Jay (Kelli) Gorman, Nick (Cameran) Payne, and Jeff (Kim) Payne; numerous great grandchildren and nieces and nephews .She is preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Jack Ullom and Ralph Payne; 11 older siblings; stepson and stepdaughter, Buck and Marlene Ullom; step-grandson, Ron Ullom.

Funeral service will be held at the Montezuma United Methodist Church on Monday, August 17, 2026 with Rev. Kyle Woodrow presiding. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery, Montezuma. Visitation will be Sunday, August 16, 2026 from noon to 3:00 P.M. at Swaim Funeral Chapel in Montezuma. Memorials are suggested to Bethel Home or Montezuma United Methodist Church in care of the funeral home. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guestbook at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.