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Dee Cress Obituary
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She's survived by husband David, daughters Caitlin (Grant) Wallace and Becca Cress (Garrett Fritch), grandchildren Matilda and Nathan Wallace, grandkitties Peach and Mari, mother Sue Luttrell, sister Linda Lucas, nephews Eric and Ben Lucas, sister-in-law Liz Alvarez (Mark Larson), and niece Karli (Ivry) Mundy.
She was preceded in death by her father Tom Schaefer and his partner Bette Reusser.
Dee enjoyed gardening, cross stitching presents for loved ones, cooking for her family (Anguiano enchiladas, spaghetti, and Grandma rolls were special favorites), and trips to the beach. She loved being a grandma and always went out of her way to accommodate: different birthday cakes for different food allergies, mac and cheese on demand for her granddaughter, and endless hours spent babysitting.
Dee was born Dee Ann Schaefer in Emporia, Kansas, and grew up in Kansas City, Kansas, and Basehor, Kansas. She graduated from Basehor High School in 1979 and from Baker University with an education degree in 1983.
Dee spent her career as an educator. She first worked with the autism community in New Jersey, then as development director for St. Mary Star of Sea School in Hampton, Virginia, and finally as a middle school teacher at St. Patrick Catholic School in Rolla, Missouri.
She and Dave retired to Lansing, Kansas, in 2020 and have spent the last several years with their family.
Dee had a passion for helping the homeless community and families living in poverty, including regularly volunteering at the Rolla Mission in Rolla, Missouri, and traveling to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina to rehab damaged homes.
Dee was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, daughter, and friend. We will miss her warm presence, her laugh, and her incredibly loud cheering for the Jayhawks.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Dee's name to the Rolla Mission therollamission.org. There will be a private family service at a later date.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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8837 Roe Avenue, Prairie Village, KS 66207
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