Kansas City Funeral Directors

Erica Catherine Neumann

User Rating: 5 / 5

Erica Catherine Neumann made her last wildly inappropriate and sarcastic comment on July 5th of 2019.  Although she had a less than an average life span, Erica did not live an average life.  She was a hoot.  She laughed at every chance she got, loved fiercely, and embraced life with no holds barred.  She will be deeply missed by the many people whose lives she touched.  She is survived by loving mother Cathy Lawrenz and step-father Jack Generaux, father Steve Neumann, brother Fletcher Neumann, niece Paige Neumann, nephews Eli Cook and Fletcher Alexander Neumann; the love of her life, Justin Hensler, her fur babies Henri and Silas, Heloise the dragon, and many close friends who all felt she was their very best bestie. 

Miss Erica upstaged the other babies on the block in Brookside when she was born at home on December 27, 1982, in Kansas City, MO.  From that moment on, she stole the hearts of her adoring parents and big brother.  She remained a family gal and was always close to her tribe.

Erica would like to let you know that although none of us were ready, her work here is done. She received a call, a sort of an offer you can’t refuse, for an appointment from which she will not be returning. This assignment comes with a huge sign-on bonus - a reunion with family and friends she has not seen in a long time. Job security is 100 percent. Her new mission takes her to a wonderful place where she will be socializing, dancing, singing and eating to her heart’s content. Music, laughter and love are guaranteed. Food is delicious and you never gain an ounce. She left detailed instructions for her friends and family to celebrate her mission here, which has now been completed. Low adherence to this instruction will not be tolerated.  And if you knew Erica, you know she means business.

Erica had a great sense of humor.  We think that is why she left behind a heck of a lot of stuff that her family has no idea what to do with.  So if you are looking for giraffe figurines, an abundance of antique knitting needles, lots of rugs, numerous gnomes, a worm farm, troll dolls, a large minion collection, or art from the 1970s, you should wait the appropriate amount of time and get in touch.  This is not an ad for a thrift store, but an obituary for a great woman, daughter, friend, sister, auntie, and teacher.

Her nine years as a public school teacher in the Kansas City Missouri School District afforded hundreds of children and families exposure to Erica’s love, caring, and her fun and shining personality.  They learned from a teacher who truly cared about each and every one of them, not only their academic achievements but also who they were, their interests and their day-to-day experiences.  She ensured every child at each seat in her classroom felt safe and flourished during the 10 months they spent together. 

Erica was world renowned for her belly laugh, her deep love of her friends, family, and students, not holding back her opinion and telling it like it is.  Erica lived life to the fullest and could make anyone smile.  At six-foot-three with long hair the color of an oak leaf in fall and legs for days, Erica was a knock-out.  When she entered a room, the temperature rose.  Strong willed and a little mischievous, she could always find something fun to do and encouraged her loved ones to take in the happy times, be it a concert, a party, Pokemon Go, or just watching movies in pajamas.

She had a lifelong love affair with good pizza, pomeranians, dancing, movies, adventures with her friends and hot summer days by the pool. Erica was endlessly creative and impressed us all with her ability to create DIY projects before Pinterest was even a word.

We were blessed to learn many valuable lessons from Erica during her 36 years, among them: Never throw away classic children’s books because no matter how tattered, they are still treasures.

Also: If necessary, a true friend will finish your plate if you get full.  Always bring plastic baggies to the buffet in case you need a snack after.  And don’t forget to use air quotes!   Thanks to her, we will all try to make everyone smile. And remain endlessly young at heart.

On a more serious note, Erica always enjoyed volunteering her time with the Daughters of the American Revolution and handed out endless amounts of American flags and cookies at Naturalization events, promoted patriotism and the DAR scholarships, celebrated Constitution Week at her school, made the lives of veterans at the Leavenworth VA more cheerful, and was involved with her niece in Children of the American Revolution activities. 

A celebration of life is scheduled for Sunday, August 4th at 2:30 pm at Drexel Hall, 3301 Baltimore, KCMO, where we will share friends, food and memories. ALL who knew Erica are welcome.  In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Kansas City Public Schools Education Foundation at www.kcpsfoundation.org

Laura (Lino) Hendricks

User Rating: 5 / 5

Laura (Lino) Hendricks of Overland Park, Kansas left this earth on May 4, 2019 at the age of 94, one year after the death of her husband, James “Willard” Hendricks.  Laura was born on September 5, 1924 to Catharina and Samuel Lino in Stockton, California, moving soon after to Sausalito. Laura’s parents were immigrants from Pico Island in the Portuguese Azores.  

Laura had many fond memories of life on the Sausalito hillside overlooking Richardson Bay with her parents, her sister Beatrice, and her brothers Manuel and George.  Laura remembered also sailing with her siblings on San Francisco Bay -- too close to Alcatraz island, and hearing the guards shouting over loudspeakers and firing warning shots to turn them away.

Laura attended St. Bridget’s School in San Francisco, traveling to and from school via ferry before the Golden Gate Bridge existed.  

As a young adult, she attended UC Berkley as an English major, and traveled alone to Washington DC and Lisbon to serve at the US Embassy as a secretary.  While in Portugal, she toured with her cousin, Jose Viera Alvernaz, Archbishop of Goa and Patriarch of the Indies, and danced with the governor of the Azores.  She remembered this time as a great adventure.

Laura met Willard while employed at the U.S. Naval Radiological Defense Laboratory in San Francisco.  Laura and Will were both life-long and passionate liberals, as evidenced by their early date attending a rally for Adlai Stephenson.  They wed in 1953 at the Star of the Sea church in Sausalito.  

Laura and Will lived in San Francisco, Mill Valley and Lucas Valley CA where they began raising their family of 8 children.  The family relocated to Prairie Village, Kansas in 1967 following Will’s job transfer.  

Political activism was a very large part of Laura and Will’s lives.  The family participated in numerous political campaigns, including the fight for fair housing in California, grape and lettuce boycotts while in Kansas, and the election of assorted Democratic candidates at all levels. In 1972 Laura was very proud to have been elected as a delegate for George McGovern at the 1972 Democratic convention.  Laura won her election to the school board for Shawnee Mission, Kansas Public Schools, and ran a hard-fought but unsuccessful campaign to be a Kansas State Legislator.

Laura was an accomplished artist - painting beautiful landscapes, and drawing skillful portraits of family members and public figures.

Laura was a survivor, winning her battles with life-threatening cancers and other serious health issues.

Laura is predeceased by her husband of 66 years, Willard, her parents, and her brother, Manuel.  She is survived by her sister, Beatrice MacMurray, her brother, George Lino, her eight children: Catharine Balda (Rick) of Overland Park, KS; Retta Hendricks-Backus (Ozzie) of Lawrence, KS; Beverly Hendricks-Tellefsen (Chris) of New York NY; Julie Ide (David) of White Salmon, WA; Joe Hendricks of Seattle, WA; Joanie Vivaz (Chris) of Seattle, WA; Sam Hendricks (Christine) of Portland, OR; and Frank Hendricks (Mary) of St. Louis, MO; 16 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.  

Mass: July 19, 11:00 am, St. John the Evangelist Church, 1234 Kentucky St, Lawrence, KS.

 

 

 

Mark Sydney Peterson

User Rating: 5 / 5

Mark Sydney Peterson

Mark Sydney Peterson, 63, of Overland Park, KS., passed away Friday, July 12, 2019 at his home, surrounded by his family, after a short-term illness.

Mark was born on August 11th, 1955 in Ida Grove, Iowa to Sydney and Helen Peterson.  He grew up in Westside, Iowa and graduated from Ar-We-Va High School in  1973.  Mark had a 28 year career in electrical/data communications sales at Stanion Wholesale Electric in Kansas City.  He was an avid sports fan, especially for the Kansas City Royals and Kansas City Chiefs.  When not watching sports, he enjoyed doing handyman work around the house and looked forward to the annual Panama City Beach vacation with his family.  Mark was a devoted husband and father who loved his family tremendously.

Mark is survived by his wife, Joyce (Pudenz); son Thomas: and daughter Holly.  His siblings:  Donna (John) Reglein:  John (Cathy) Peterson: Renee (Bill) Mauer;  Jeff (Linda) Peterson; and many nieces and nephews.  He is preceded in death by his parents Helen and Sydney Peterson. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 am, Friday July 19 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Lenexa, KS.  Visitation will be 9:00 am until service time.  Inurnment will be at Resurrection Cemetery, Lenexa, KS following the mass.  A luncheon will be at the Gast Social Room at Holy Trinity Catholic church following the Rite of Committal.

Arthur Timothy Malone

User Rating: 5 / 5

Mr. Arthur Timothy Malone, 71, of Lee’s Summit, MO, passed away Wednesday, June 19, 2019. Services will be private.

Arthur was born November 14, 1947 in Kansas City, MO to Hugh and Veronica Malone and was the sixth out of nine children. He spent 30 years of his career working for Kansas City Power & Light Co. After leaving KCP&L, he spent the rest of his career doing various delivery jobs before retiring from Superior Linen and Supply in 2008. He was a proud, loving and caring husband, father, and grandfather.

He is reunited in heaven with his wife of more than 30 years, Allen Lee Malone. He is survived by a daughter from Kansas City, MO; Step-Daughter from Kansas City, MO, Step-son from Bella Vista, AR; brother from Goodyear, AZ; Sister from Kansas City, MO; 7 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nieces.

Deborah Jeanne Scarlett

User Rating: 5 / 5

Deborah Jeanne Scarlett, 65, passed away peacefully at home with Sandahl by her side on May 13, 2019. Celebration of Life, 2 pm, June 29 at Minor Park, Shelter 1, 11103 Holmes Road, Kansas City, MO 64131.

Deborah was born to Raymond and Kathleen Barnes in Kansas City, Missouri. She was preceded in death by parents, Raymond and Kathleen and sister Terry Wainscott.
Deborah is survived by children Sandahl, Daniel and Nina;
brother Ron Barnes and ex-husband William Scarlett.