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Dee Ann Cress, Age: 63
Aug 22, 1961 - Sep 01, 2024

Dee Ann Cress died Sept. 1, 2024, at St. Luke’s Hospice House in Kansas City, Missouri, from metastatic breast cancer. 

 

 

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. 
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Tanner Mertens Sep 03, 2024

Student ,Rolla ,Missouri

Mrs. and Mr. Cress had a profound effect on my educational journey and how I view the world. Mrs. Cress really taught me how to care for others and put others above myself and gave me a true lesson in personal responsibility. She will be greatly missed. My prayers will be with your family.

Dave & Susan Jacobson Sep 03, 2024

Friend ,Chesapeake ,Virginia

So sorry to hear this news. We send our love and prayers to Dave and the girls and their families. Dee's generous and loving spirit will live on through so many of those she touched. She will certainly be missed.

Gay Ann Kiser Sep 03, 2024

Friend ,Fairview ,Texas

I worked with Dee decades ago in NJ. Dee worked in Lawrenceville, NJ at COSAC, an organization founded to support families with autism. At that time, Dee was a newlywed. She was wise beyond her years and adored children. Dee was always that person who purchased Girl Scout cookies from your daughter. She also was that individual who purchased books for your child on their birthday. She was a huge advocate of getting kids to read. I saved the book Dee gave my daughter, Megan, and Megan has passed it onto her child. If this world was filled with people like Dee, it would be a much better place. I feel blessed to have known Dee and would like to express my deepest condolences to Dee’s entire family. She will be missed. Gay Ann Kiser

Arlene and Bob Veal Sep 03, 2024

Friend ,Oceanport ,New Jersey

It was with great sadness l read of Dee Ann’s passing. Our son Christopher benefited so much from her care and patience she took with him when she lived in New Jersey. Our whole family came to know and love Dee Ann. She will be forever in our hearts. Our deepest sympathy goes to Dave and her daughters and her grandchildren. I am sure many people had a better life because of her kindness and caring. She will be missed

Elias Mertens Sep 03, 2024

Former student ,Rolla ,Missouri

Mrs. and Mr. Cress were two of the best teachers I have ever had the privilege from learning from. Mrs. Cress not only taught me to responsible for my own actions, but also how my actions directly affect my spiritual relationship. She was a phenomenal teacher and mentor. I am so sorry to hear about this loss to not only your family, but the St. Patrick family as well. Her memory will live on through not only her family, but as well as her coworkers and students she has encountered throughout the years.

Peggy Westerhouse Claggett Sep 03, 2024

Friend ,Eudora ,Kansas

I'm so sorry for your loss! My condolences for all the family.

Lori and Mike Sage Sep 03, 2024

Friend ,Steilacoom

Dave, Caitlyn, Becca and Family, we are so heartbroken by this sad news! Dee was such a treasure to all who met her and a genuine friend and supporter of military families. We remember all the time spent as young families together away from home and especially getting the kids together. I especially remember all the kind and gentle advice and her way of taking care of things without any fanfare or need for acknowledgment. She was such a dear, a wonderful friend and we will miss her so very much❤️. Hugs to you all and may God take her in right by his side where she belongs.

Marilyn Anderson Sep 03, 2024

Basehor High School teacher ,Basehor ,Kansas

Dee was a student in my English classes at Basehor High School. Creative, responsible, and kind, she was among the best of my students and was an extraordinary writer. I particularly recall when she was honored with a first place win in a writing competition connected with the Big Brother - Big Sister charity football game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. To her family, I send my deepest sympathy. Your loss is great. May you find some comfort in your memories.

Mackenzie Rodgers Sep 03, 2024

Student ,Missouri

Mrs. Cress had a lasting impact on my time at St. Patrick’s. She taught me the true meaning of caring for others and left a profound impact on my life. Sending condolences to you in this tough time.

Glenna Florence Sep 04, 2024

Friend ,Basehor ,Kansas

I am so sorry to hear of Dee’s passing. I knew Dee thru Church in Basehor and I worked with her mom Sue for many years. Dee was a very kind person. My condolences to the family and especially to Sue. You are in our prayers. 🙏🏻💐

Rosalia Meusch Sep 04, 2024

Former colleague at Saint Patrick ,Rolla ,Missouri

Dee made the world a better place. She was a thoughtful and engaging educator, who knew how to make learning accessible, as well as meaningful. I was lucky to have her across the hall for so many years at St Patrick. Sending your family prayers of healing and comfort. ❤️❤️

Eric & Stephanie Clark Sep 04, 2024

Friends of the Family ,OMAHA ,Nebraska

Dear Caitlin, Grant, Matilda, Nathan, the Cress and Schaefer families, and all who loved Dee. We are sending you our love and our sincere wishes that Dee's memory will bring you both strength and peace. Our deepest condolences, Eric & Stephanie Clark

Brynn Proffitt Sep 04, 2024

Friend/Student ,Denver ,Colorado

I was deeply saddened to hear the passing of Mrs. Cress. When I think back to my time at St. Pats, I only have fond memories, lots including having her as my teacher. She really had the perfect balance of connecting with her students on a personal level while maintaining a professional authority in her class room. I was extremely blessed to have a stellar line up of teachers during my time in the downstairs 6th-8th grade with Mrs. Meusch, Mrs. Drallmeier, and Mrs. Cress. With these 3 badass (pardon my language) women at the helm, I felt like I could really be myself and be loved for it. Mrs. Cress pushed me to step out of my comfort zone and instilled a lot of confidence in me at a formative age and I will be grateful for her always. Going to cardinals games and Silver Dollar City with her were some highlights of my time spent at St. Pats. Reading about what she has been keeping up with in the last decade has warmed my heart. I am not surprised at all that she continues to put others before her and I'm glad she moved close to family in her last years. She always did the most important thing a person can do, do unto others what you would wish done upon you. This has stuck with me and I am proud to honor her memory by continuing to be a kind and compassionate person to whoever I meet, no matter their background. I will keep these valuable lessons with me throughout life and am grateful to have had such a wonderful role model at a young age to teach me this. Sending love and prayers to her family in this time. Love, Brynn.

Blair Donohue Sep 06, 2024

Family Friend ,Kansas City ,Missouri

Dee's warmth, love and kindness will be sorely missed. Her legacy lives on in her beautiful family and the life she cultivated with David. Knowing Dee via my friendships with Caitlin and Becca has been so rewarding. For a decade she welcomed me as one of her own and it was always so wonderful to see her. Sending my love and condolences to the entire family <3 - Blair