Teresa Annette Kanakares

1947 - 2022

Teresa Annette Kanakares
August 25, 1947 - August 14, 2022
Olathe, Kansas - Teresa Annette Kanakares, age 74, passed away on August 14, 2022, surrounded by her loving husband, Nick W. Kanakares Jr., D.D.S., children and their spouses, at Advent Health, Shawnee, Mission, KS, due to Covid-19. Annette suffered from a compromised immune system, including a 20-year struggle with rheumatoid arthritis. Annette was born August 25, 1947, in Springfield, MO to Juanita (Wolf) Kirkpatrick and Minor J. Kirkpatrick, D.D.S. On March 22, 1983, she married Nick in Las Vegas, NV.
Annette's early life included living in Mountain Home, AR, where she began her education. She enjoyed fishing with her family on the White River. She later moved to Little Rock, AR where her father was a guard at the Capitol for Governor Faubus. Annette's family later moved to Kirkwood, MO where her father attended dental school. Annette graduated from Kirkwood High School in 1965. She then attended Southwest Missouri State and worked as a dental assistant for her father at his first dental practice. Over the years, Annette worked in various types of dental offices, including general dentistry, orthodontics, and finally as Office Manager in Nick's office in Olathe, KS.
Annette had a wide range of interests. She loved attending countless children's and grandchildren's sporting events over the years, including soccer, baseball, softball, football, basketball, and wrestling. Annette rarely missed a game ranging from four-year-old recreational sports to college athletics to her son that went on to become a successful high school coach. Annette was known to be your greatest fan and toughest sports critic, but stressed that education came first resulting in five kids graduating from five different universities. Annette was an avid reader and an excellent cook. She relished Southern cooking and lavish Thanksgiving meals where she cooked for days to prepare for all who could make it. Annette was also known for making her special "reindeer" food with the kids at Christmas and chocolate chip cookies for trips to Maumelle, AR. Annette was a KU basketball fan and an Arkansas football fan. She loved to play golf on the short courses in Arizona where she and Nick wintered for many years. She loved being outdoors, visiting the National Parks, and trips to Maui, Las Vegas, the Florida coast, and a variety of other travels.
The last three years she enjoyed her little Shih Tzu puppy named Beau; her buddy, the cutest dog, and a really good boy according to Annette.
She is survived by Nick, her husband of 39 years; sons Brian Jones (Kim), Maumelle, AR, and Erik Jones (Jenna), Olathe, KS; stepchildren (who she treated lovingly as her own) Kellie Johnson (Craig), Lincoln, NE, Kris Kanakares (Amy), Kansas City, KS, and Krystal Pierce (Robert) Lenexa, KS; thirteen grandchildren: Greyson, Jackson and Charlie Jones; Reed Johnson; Payton Springer; Owen and Alec Kanakares; Brayden, Easton and Landon Pierce; Kolton, Kaden, and Kara Durso; two sisters, nieces, nephews, and many friends. It was truly a fun time when all got together.
Annette was a cornea donor and wished to be cremated. The funeral will be a private ceremony for the immediate family with a celebration of life at a later date. Memories and condolences may be submitted online at penwellgabelkc.com and Legacy.com. Annette was a loving mother, grandmother, and wife who will be loved by Nick and her family forever. From Nick: Goodbye for now my beautiful lady.