SALINA, Kan. – Stephanie Renee Hampton, 52, passed away Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at Salina Regional Hospital, Salina, Kan. She was born Dec. 29, 1973, in Topeka, Kan., the daughter of Steve and Debra (Boyer) Rice.
Stephanie grew up in Melvern, Kan., and had lived around Osage County before moving to Salina in 2006.
Stephanie’s first love was music, and she would perform occasionally in different venues and enjoyed the connection with others music provided. She also worked as a dispatcher for the Kansas Highway Patrol for several years, and that is where she found her passion for helping others. Health issues caused her to move on from that position, and it was during this time she studied to become a certified master health coach, a certified weight loss specialist and a certified nutrition coach. Steph was not shy about her weight loss struggles and shared her struggles and triumphs as part of her journey. She had recently decided to combine her health and nutrition knowledge with music, and had been preparing to launch an online DJing site focusing on women’s health talks and her love of music. She was an extremely talented and creative person but as her son puts it, her main skill and hobby was being a “badass!”
Stephanie was married to Wendy Hampton, March 24, 2016, in Salina, where they resided with their fur babies.
She was preceded in death by her mom, Debra Rice, June 17, 2022.
Stephanie is survived by her wife, Wendy Hampton, Salina; her son, Lukas Ferris (Guinte Cranford), Conway, Ark.; dad, Steve Rice, Melvern; brother, Scott (Amy) Rice, Melvern; a grandson, Nathaniel Ferris, Osage City, Kan., and granddaughter, Josephine (Josie) Renee arriving in September 2026; niece, Kelsey Rice; nephew, Wyatt Rice; and many other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will 11 a.m. Saturday, May 16, at Melvern United Methodist Church, Melvern. The family will receive friends beginning at 10 a.m. until time of service. Burial will follow at Melvern Cemetery.
Serving as pallbearers will be Lukas Ferris, Scott Rice, Wyatt Rice, Danny Rice, Jerry Rice and Ethan Rice. Honorary pallbearers will be Steve Rice and Nathaniel Ferris.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Johnson Cancer Research Center (through K-State University and in honor and memory of Debra Rice), sent in care of Feltner Funeral Home, 818 Topeka Ave., Lyndon, KS 66451. Condolences can be left at feltnerfuneralhome.com.
