The Excelsior Standard, May 26, 2023

Glennel Dean Simpson Curtis, known as “Dee Dee,” passed away peacefully on May 12, 2023 – two days shy of her 97th birthday – at home.

Born on May 14, 1926, in Novelty to Elmer C. Simpson and Charlotte Bell Dauma Simpson, Dee Dee was the youngest of five children. She graduated in 1944 from high school in Enterprise, Kan., and then moved to Independence.

Dee Dee soon met the great love of her life, Stanley E. Curtis. They married on Sept. 8, 1946. The young couple initially lived on the Curtis Family farm in Atherton, welcoming their only child, Pam, in 1948. In 1949, Dee Dee and Stan founded their Holstein dairy farm in Lee’s Summit, where they remained until Stan’s passing in 1994.

Dee Dee spent the rest of her life in Independence. Dee Dee was known for her 26-year career in customer service at Dillard’s where she received recognition many times for her work. She also was an active volunteer with the Jackson County Farm Bureau, Jackson County Extension, 4-H and the Laurel Club. More important, though, was Dee Dee’s lifelong connection with the Community of Christ Church. After many years in the Lee’s Summit congregation, she and Stan helped found their beloved Woods Chapel, where they were active participants throughout their lives.

Dee Dee’s greatest talent was in loving others, and she leaves behind a legacy of friendship and family that is beyond compare. She also left behind 27 sticks of butter and 10 bags of assorted baking chips ... because one must always be prepared to bake cookies for anyone who might happen to drop by. Her door was always open, and nothing delighted her more than spending time with those she loved.

When Dee Dee crossed into heaven, she was met by her Stanley, a reunion so joyous that the angels sang. She also was reunited with her parents, all four of her siblings, and a host of other family members and friends who welcomed her home with open arms.

Dee Dee leaves behind her daughter, Pam Piepergerdes (Ed); grandchildren, Kristin Frazier (Sean) and Erin Piepergerdes; and the great pride of her life, her great-grandchildren, Gillian and Tanith Frazier. She also leaves behind her dear childhood friend, Berniece Besch.

A celebration of life for Dee Dee will be held at 7 p.m. on June 2 at the Woods Chapel Community of Christ Church, 500 N.E. Woods Chapel Road, Lee’s Summit, following a private interment at Mound Grove Cemetery in Independence.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Health Ed Connect (1400 W. Truman Rd; Independence, MO 64050; phone: 816-423-4731) or The Woods Chapel Church Building Fund.

The family would like to thank Dee Dee’s caregivers – Silvia Hayes, Marge Hoffman, Melody Rios, Janelle Miller and Tammy Van Pelt – and family friend Janice Bigham for the loving care they provided that allowed Dee Dee to remain in her home until her passing. The family also would like to thank the nurses of Crossroads Hospice for their support, care and kindness.