Loyce Wilson Rudicil passed away peacefully on Monday, July 27, 2020, in her home with loved ones by her side.  Loyce was born in Sedalia, Missouri on August 3, 1929 to Ida and Frank Wilson. Growing up with three older sisters, who remained close throughout their lives they were often referred to as those “Wilson girls!” Her husband, parents, sisters and brothers-in-law all preceded her in death.

She made life-long friends once she started school and would often reminisce about her life in Sedalia and the fun she had going to the movies, dances and school. Her memories of the Great Depression and what they did to support the WWII were always interesting. Loyce held several jobs in Sedalia and Marshall, Missouri, but always said that de-tasseling corn was her favorite.

After graduating from Marshall High School in 1947, Loyce briefly attended Central Missouri State.  Around 1950, she moved to Kansas City and took a job at Bendix where she met Jim Rudicil.  She said that she winked at him to get his attention.  Jim and Loyce were married in June of 1953 in Sedalia at the home of her sister Gerry Wilson Lively.  They lived in Prairie Village, Kansas and had two daughters, Amy and Laura.

In 1965, the family moved to Blue Springs where Loyce lived in the same house until 2014. It seemed everyone in Blue Springs knew Loyce. She worked at City Hall and was active in the community. Loyce served on the PTA, was a Girl Scout leader and an active member of the BSHS Booster Club years after her daughters graduated. She volunteered for the American Cancer Society, the Rainbow Center,  and the March of Dimes. Loyce was also very active in the Blue Springs Historical Society and the Pilot Club (service organization).

Loyce never met a stranger and would talk to anyone. Her almost daily trips to Norman’s Grocery Store on Main Street and later to Price Chopper and Walmart, always took longer than expected because she “ran into” one of her friends. 

She was one strong, funny, and caring woman who modeled those characteristics to her daughters.  She also made sure that they learned to cook, bake and sew; the importance of friendships and writing thank you notes; that hard work pays off; and, to give back to your community.  She made sacrifices so that they could travel during the summer, attend Girl Scout summer camp and attend the University of Missouri. She had a great sense of humor and often peppered the conversation with what we lovingly refer to as Loyce-ism. We’d see a cute boy and remark “he’s cute” and she always responded with “cute don’t pay the rent.”  She took an interest in everything we did at school and always showed up for events. She taught her daughters to accept everyone at a time when that was not the norm.

Loyce loved to travel and many holidays were spent in Ohio visiting the Rudicil side of the family or trips to Sedalia to see the Wilson family.  She and Jim traveled throughout the United States, but Colorado became her favorite place. It started with her honeymoon, then road trips as a family, then trips with her sisters after her husband passed, followed by more trips with family and friends. She loved visiting  St. Croix in the early 90’s to visit her daughter.

Music was a big part of her life. She loved Big Band music and jazz, another thing she passed on to her daughters. She also loved to sing and took piano lessons later in life. Great music filled our house!

In 1989, Loyce lost her husband to cancer. It was hard for her as Jim was only 62. But she quickly filler her life with family friends and activities.

Family was so important to Loyce. She loved her grandchildren. Both Steve and Libby lived with her after they graduated college and took jobs in Kansas City. That was special for all three as much of their childhood they lived in Texas and England…so visits were short and not often enough for Loyce. Libby continued to live in Kansas City and was able to spend time with her often taking her out for a meal, bringing her flowers/surprises and just talking with her about life. In 2002 she accompanied her daughter Laura to China to adopt her third grandchild, Ling.  She thoroughly enjoyed China but was most excited about another grandchild.  She was in Ling’s everyday life and spent so much time with her, supporting her activities, events and milestones.  Ling was very close to her grandma often making a visit as soon as she returned home from college.  COVID-19 was frustrating for all of us, but especially for Ling and Libby as they were no longer able to visit their grandma, until the night before her passing.

Loyce also welcomed two exchange students into our family, Mei and Martina, and loved learning about their home countries and considered them her bonus grandchildren.

She attended the First Christian Church in Blue Springs for years and loved the fellowship and activities.  She loved of the mission work the church did with the Kairos Christian School in Guatemala. To honor Loyce, the family is suggesting donations to Kairos, NA in care of the First Christian Church.  Please mail donations to Kairos, NA, First Christian Church, 701 NW 15th Street, Blue Springs MO 64015.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, August 1 at 3 pm at Blue Springs Cemetery for family and close friends.