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10507 Holmes Road
Kansas City, Missouri
Frances Deets Obituary
May 24, 1927 - November 20, 2025
Kansas City, Missouri - Frances Pence Deets, teacher, coach and mentor, died at the age of 98, in her apartment at the Mission Chateau Retirement Community in Prairie Village, Kansas, on Thursday, November 20, 2025.
Frances, who preferred being called, Penny, her college nickname, for most of her life, was born in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 24, 1927. She was a product of the Kansas City Missouri School District and graduated from East High School in 1945. She attended Kansas City Community College and then the University of Kansas where she earned her Bachelor of Education Degree. Penny went on to earn her Master of Education Degree from Columbia University in New York City.
She spent thirty-two years as a teacher in the Kansas City Missouri Public School System, with at least thirty of those years as a girls' physical education teacher and coach at Southwest High School where she retired in 1984.
During her teaching years she worked to instill in her students the importance of everyone's three best life-long friends: nutrition, exercise and hygiene. She also championed the benefits of team sports in teaching young women physical discipline and group cooperation. One of her main goals was to encourage young girls to learn a sport they could play, follow and appreciate for all their lives.
For Penny, that life-sport was golf. As a member of Milburn Country Club for over fifty years, she became an avid and accomplished golfer. Indeed, she was proud that she played her last eighteen-hole golf round at the age of 89.
Penny was preceded in death by her life-partner, Katherine E. Aye; her parents, Goldie and Earl Pence, Sr.; and her three siblings, Margaret (Mag), Earlene, and Earl (Toogie) Pence, Jr. She leaves behind many friends and many grateful former students.
Penny requested no memorial service. The best way to honor her memory might be to take a long walk, play a round of golf (if you're a golfer) or exercise for fifteen minutes. Her last words of advice to all of us: Keep Moving! (Also consider memorial donations to The Salvation Army, City Union Mission or the University of Kansas.)
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Frances Deets
Sponsored by Kansas City Star.
Ann Aylward
December 31, 2025
I had Ms. Deets for gym class at SWHS. She was a wonderful person and teacher! I've never forgotten her as things she said have always come to mind. Thank you, Ms. Deets.
Sara Lonnecker Dreiling
December 26, 2025
Ms Deets was our synchronized swimming coach at SWHS. She was an extraordinary mentor and role model to all of us. At 77, I still enjoy synchronized swimming! Thank you, Ms Deets! My condolences to the family. She is remembered.
Mark
December 14, 2025
Penny was a favorite neighbor of mine at the condo complex. Always cheerful and full of energy. Always had something positive to say. She knew 100x more about football than I ever will. She is missed...
Sally Roberts
December 9, 2025
I remember Penny from Milburn Country Club.
We bowled together in the women´s bowling league. She was competitive but also very fun loving! Always had a smile!
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Lee Kester
November 30, 2025
I know many of us who had gym class at SWHS with Ms. Deets remember her very fondly. She was a bright light of consistent positive energy in the sometimes turbulent and dark high school experience. I wish I'd had the maturity to express my appreciation at the time.
Sherry Koch Light
November 29, 2025
Miss Deets: always fondly remembered. RIP.
Marcy Smalley
November 28, 2025
Thank you Miss Deets for inspiring me to pursue syncronized swimming and a lifelong love of water sports. Cheers to 98 years.
Dr. Cynthia Willis Esqueda
November 25, 2025
Ms. Deets was my phys ed teacher at SWHS in the early 70s. She was an excellent educator. I have thought of her often over the years, and I am glad to learn her life was a wonderful one, full of professional development, love, and fun. May her memory be a blessing.
Nancy Stalnaker
November 25, 2025
I had Miss Deets in Gym Class and LOVED her!! She was a stellar teacher and I will always remember her.
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Mt. Moriah, Newcomer and Freeman Funeral Home | Mount Moriah Cemetery Sout10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, MO 64131
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