Andrea M. Bacani

Heaven gained a beautiful, funny, intelligent, strong, and adventure-loving angel, who blessed the world with love, laughter, and joy for 78 years.

Andrea Marasigan Bacani, born on July 28, 1946, in Gumaca, Philippines, passed away peacefully in Overland Park, Kansas on Saturday, October 26, 2024. She was a remarkable woman who led a life full of purpose and ambition, leaving behind a legacy that will be cherished by all who knew her.

Andrea graduated high school in the Philippines in 1962 and attended college for business and later for nursing, demonstrating an early commitment to education and personal growth. She married Dr. Oswaldo C. Bacani and helped him navigate his residency training in General Surgery in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, St. Louis, Missouri, and Cleveland, Ohio. Together, they launched a surgical and general medical practice in Fredonia, Kansas in 1978. Her career as an office manager at her husband’s medical clinic showcased her business skills and also her dedication to helping others. Andrea’s entrepreneurial spirit shone brightly through her many endeavors. She built the Bacani Plaza and Plaza Grille and Hotel, which brought revenue and visitors to the Fredonia community for over 20 years. She was the President of the local Rotary Club and often volunteered her time for the community. She was extremely philanthropic. She gave regularly to people and charities and even established a nursing school in the Philippines. These achievements and generous acts are a testament to her hard work and determination to expand business, economic development, the well-being, and the healthcare workforce in her hometown and in her home country.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Andrea had a rich array of interests and hobbies that brought joy to her life and everyone around her. She was a talented deer hunter, fly fisherwoman, and golfer. Her culinary skills brought family and friends together at many gatherings, where her sense of humor and ability to tell jokes were always a highlight. Andrea was a passionate sports fan, embracing both football and basketball, with a special enthusiasm for KU basketball and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Andrea loved to travel the world with her favorite travel partner—her husband—and their family and friends. She made friends everywhere she went.

Andrea is survived by her beloved husband, Dr. Oswaldo C. Bacani, and their children, Michael Bacani and his wife Jennifer Waterhouse Bacani of Crested Butte, Colorado; Oswaldo “Dodie” Bacani and his wife Erica Feiland Bacani of Wichita, Kansas; Dr. Jennifer Bacani McKenney of Fredonia, Kansas and her partner Dr. Allen Greiner; Angelica Bacani and her husband Alex Mathiesen of Wichita, Kansas. She leaves behind her cherished grandchildren Ethan Bacani, Alexander Bacani, Blake Bacani, Emma Bacani, Millie McKenney, and Sidney McKenney, and her niece Shiony Velasco. She also leaves behind her sisters Yolanda and Elizabeth and her brothers Felix and Antonio as well as numerous nieces, nephews, in-laws, and friends.

Andrea was predeceased by her mother Iluminada Tañada and her father Felix Marasigan; also her brothers Ernesto and Roland and her sister Rosario. Their memory will live on through the values and love she imparted to her family.

Visitation services will be held on Friday, November 8, 2024 from 5:00 pm-7:00 pm with a rosary to follow at Wickham Family Funeral Home. A rosary will again be held at 9:30 am followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 AM Saturday, November 9, 2024 at Sacred heart Catholic Church in Fredonia with Andrea’s brother-in-law Bishop Teodoro Bacani as the celebrant.

Andrea often told her husband, “Don’t buy me flowers; just give me the money instead!” Therefore, the family requests donations to the Fredonia Area Community Foundation for easy distribution to charitable causes that mattered to Andrea. They plan to establish a charitable fund in her memory. Gifts can be sent to the “Fredonia Area Community Foundation” at PO Box 97, Fredonia, KS 66736 or online at https://bit.ly/giveback2Fredonia. Please note "Andrea Bacani" in the memo line.