Service: Deanie Kurek

Laura Deane Dykes Kurek—Deanie—was born [at home] on June 1, 1936 in Kansas City, Missouri. She entered into her eternal rest in the presence of our Lord, July 24, 2024, at the age of 88 years, 1 month, and 23 days.

Deanie was the first of three children born to Noah J. and Opal H. Dykes. From the time she was five years old, Deanie has lived here in Claycomo, MO. As a child, Deanie enjoyed paper dolls, her sled, and her bike. In her grade school days she met a boy named Richard…we will have more to say about him in just a moment!

Deanie was a Class of 1954 graduate of North Kansas City High School. According to her, her grades ranged from “Good” to “Not so good.” AND now…back to this young man named Richard. Deanie has clearly stated that she fell in love with him at age SIX. She has written that she indeed noticed him that far back…and from that point on “kept (her) eye on him.” She also has said that it took Richard until they were sophomores for him to notice her…(well…) Soooo, on September 7, 1956, she married—right here at Claycomo Baptist Church—her elementary school sweetheart, Richard Kurek, and together they settled in the Claycomo area to raise their family…which God blessed with two wonderful daughters, Kim & Cynthia, their family would also grow to include grandchildren and a soon-to-be-here great -grandchild…AND they have lived an amazing testimony of love for life…for over 67 years.

After graduating from high school, Deanie went to work for Aetna Insurance. She next worked for Waddell & Reed—an investment firm—where she was offered a full time position, retiring after 25 years. However, her greatest love was being a mother and eventually a grandmother.

Deanie and Richard enjoyed traveling with their travel trailer all over the United States, taking cruises, and loved spending time at their second home in Lake of the Ozarks. She was an excellent baker and a professional when it came to making sugar cookies. Deanie took a lot of pride in decorating for the holidays, as well as decorating her rooms at the lake with specific themes—(like) the ‘Duck” Room; Red, White, and Blue Room (Go Team USA)—and just building various collections—like Precious Moments—for decor.

Deanie was an avid sports enthusiast and loved supporting her many teams (often with family ties) especially the Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas City Royals. Many times on a Sunday morning I would be reminded that… “Hey, the Chiefs are playing the early game today…so...”

Speaking of Sunday mornings and Church Life, Deanie and Richard are charter members of Claycomo Baptist Church. At a young age—around 10 yrs old—she and her childhood best friend, Carole Lee, gave their lives to Christ and were baptized. She has been a blessing to so many people in our church…our folks have shared they appreciated her ‘spunkiness,’ looking out for the feelings of our little ones, helping out the Easter Bunny with treats for our church staff, among other stories shared…we thank God for making her a part of the life and ministry of our church family.

Deanie was preceded in death by her parents; her daughter, Kimberly Manoogian; and her brother, Donald Dykes.

Survivors include her husband, Richard; her daughter, Cynthia (Mike) Shepherd; her sister, Diane Patterson; her grandchildren, Rachel Shepherd; Trevor (Meredith) Shepherd; and Bryce Shepherd & Stephanie (Mark) Lauzon, Nicholas Manoogian, and Brett Manoogian; a great grandchild on the way; and a host of niece and nephews; her church family; many friends…all of whom will miss her dearly.

SONG

“Amazing Grace”

TESTIMONIES (from designated family or friends)

Bryce Shepherd [Deanie’s Grandson; Cynthia’s Son]

Voicemail of Deanie & Richard singing Happy Birthday

“The Dash Between” (read by Deanie’s sister, Diane)

There are two important dates

around the life that we live

that reflect the time we're given

to laugh, to love, to live.

And between the date when we arrive

and the date we go away,

there exists a horizontal line

that captures every single day.

Because these days we're living

seem to vanish in a flash,

we need to make the most of

that special little dash.

We are blessed with opportunities

as we tread the grounds of earth

to build the loving legacy

our own dash will be worth.

To focus on what matters,

not on possessions owned or bought,

and smile every chance we get,

and love with all we've got.

To appreciate the here and now

as each moment will unfold

because we're never told beforehand

how much time our dash will hold

So, if you need to make some changes,

let this be the day you start

to make a difference with your life,

show the love that’s in your heart.

For how you spend this life

will someday be defined

by everything that is remembered

in the dash you leave behind.

Nick Manoogian [From Nick, Grandson of Deanie, Son of Kimberly Manoogian]

While she went by many different names to those around her, she will forever be known to me as "Grammie." From my earliest memory of her and Grandpa coming up to Michigan to visit us, she always exuded love to everyone around her. Because we lived a couple of states away, we didn’t get to see them all the time, but I remember counting down the days until they would visit or we would go to visit them in KC. One particular element of their visits, especially over the holidays, that we all looked forward to was Grammie and Grandpa bringing popcorn with them from KC. For a long while, it was Topsy’s popcorn in the can with the plaza on it, and eventually, it switched to Velvet Creme. Always doing the classic cheese, caramel, and cinnamon flavors. It was something I always associated with them, and anytime I would visit them as an adult, I made sure to stop at Velvet Creme and bring them both some popcorn.

Her love for baking was passed on to my mom, and I was inducted at a young age into being a passionate baker and somewhat branded into it. I don’t remember the holiday, but we made some sugar cookies up in Michigan, and as a wee little lad, I was just so excited to be involved. The cookies came out of the oven, and before you knew it, I was reaching for one while they were still on the pan. That resulted in my "branding," a nice scar on my left hand across the knuckles. This was no one's fault but my own, but ever since that day, every time Grammie saw me, she would ask to see my hand to check if the scar was still noticeable. Spoiler: you can still slightly see that branding if you look hard enough. Haha.

She also taught me the importance of saving money. Every time she visited, they would ask how much I was able to save since the last time, and they started an account for all of us when we were younger, where they would deposit our savings. This was just one of the many important lessons she passed on to us.

Once we were deemed old enough, Stephanie and I would take a road trip with Grammie and Grandpa down to Missouri from Michigan and stay with them for a week or so before our parents would join us (Brett wasn't born yet/old enough). These are some of the best memories I have of being with them. We would stop and do so many cool things along the way. Sometimes it was blueberry picking, sometimes a museum like “The House on the Rock,” or sometimes stopping at Wendy's and getting a Frosty to dip our fries into. We truly had the best time. These vacations often, if not always, included time at one of Grammie’s favorite places, Lake of the Ozarks. They would take us out on the boat to go tubing or sometimes to a restaurant on the lake. Anyone who has been to the lake house knows how each room has its own theme, and this was something Grammie prided herself on. Always looking for the next little addition to the strawberry kitchen or sunflower bathroom. It is truly beautiful to see the hard work she and Grandpa put into everything they did.

As I grew older, sadly, we lost my mom soon after I graduated from high school. It was unfair; it sucked. But luckily, I moved to the Missouri/Kansas area after high school and had Grammie and Grandpa relatively close to where I was living. I got to hear numerous stories about my mom growing up that I never would have known if it wasn’t for her keeping those memories alive and passing them on. It was always a blessing to hear Grammie tell a funny story about my mom as a kid. If one thing is true, Grammie loved her kids and grandkids with no strings attached, just wholeheartedly.

But if you were to ask me the most special memory I have of Grammie, it would be that no matter what, without fail, growing up when our visits were coming to an end, I would sit in her lap and ask her to stay for 100 days. She would always ask why 100 days, and I think as a little kid, 100 just sounded like such a big number (I mean, it is). But really, it was just wanting to always spend more time with my Grammie. A tradition we carried on each time we saw each other, and I am just so fortunate and grateful that I got to see Grammie in early July and got to ask her one more time to stay for 100 days.

She will forever stay in our hearts.

Karen Davis

SCRIPTURE READINGS

Psalm 23:1–6 (ESV)

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Psalm 118:24 (CSB)

This is the day the Lord has made; let’s rejoice and be glad in it.

MESSAGE

Today, in addition to celebrating the blessings we have all enjoyed having Deanie being a part of our lives…I want to share with you a beautiful picture from the Bible which, I believe you will say with me, “That’s just like Deanie!”

Proverbs 31:10–11 “Who can find a wife of noble character? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will not lack anything good.”

Proverbs 31:17 “She draws on her strength and reveals that her arms are strong.”

Proverbs 31:25–27 “Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the time to come. Her mouth speaks wisdom, and loving instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the activities of her household and is never idle.”

Proverbs 31:28–29 “Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also praises her: “Many women have done noble deeds, but you surpass them all!””

I also believe these words to be significantly true today:

Psalm 116:15 “The death of his faithful ones is valuable in the Lord’s sight.”

SONG

“In the Garden”

DISMISSAL

Informally with opportunity for those who would like…to express condolences to Deanie’s family.

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