Dwight E. Reece

Dwight Eugene Reece, 88, passed away on April 12, 2017. Dwight was born February 19, 1929 in Horton, KS, to Clark and Selma Reece. He grew up on a farm in Brush Creek, KS and enjoyed playing sports and participating in FFA at Effingham High School. Dwight was an active member in Luther League at Zion Lutheran Church in Everest, KS where he met his sweetheart, LuEllyn Grosfield. They were married on August 31, 1952 and celebrated their 64th anniversary last August with family and church members.

Dwight served in the U.S. Air Force from 1952-1956 and was stationed primarily in Charleston, South Carolina and Adak, Alaska. After his tour with the Air Force, Dwight attended the University of Kansas, graduating in 1959. While at KU the Reece couple became life-long KU Jayhawk basketball fans and enjoyed going to many games at Allen Field House.

Dwight received his CPA certification in 1963 and they moved to Prairie Village, KS in 1965 where they raised their family, 2 boys and a girl. Dwight continued to have a successful career working for several insurance companies in Kansas City as a CPA and holding the position of Vice President.

Dwight and LuEllyn joined Faith Lutheran Church when they moved to Prairie Village and have remained members. Dwight volunteered as Treasurer for the church for approximately 20 years and was also Treasurer of the Faith Foundation and a Boy Scout Leader.

Dwight received a Volunteer Excellence Award on June 19, 2008. Dwight led the Pioneer Branch of Lutheran Brotherhood from 1995-2002. Through Dwight’s guidance, the Pioneer Branch continued to hold a Superior rating all eight years. Dwight continued his leadership skills when he was elected President of the newly formed Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Shawnee Chapter from 2002-2006.

In 2005, Dwight was instrumental in organizing a Join Hands Day event at the Rosedale Development Association with multiple Thrivent Financial Chapters. Together they built a stage and a fenced-in area with landscaping so children could have a safe place to play, and learn some life skills as well. Also, in 2007 Dwight received the Volunteer of the Year award from the Heartland Habitat for Humanity for his willingness to go above and beyond in his volunteer efforts.

Dwight enjoyed spending time with his family, listening to music, traveling, enjoying nature, sports, and cheering the local teams. He was a devoted husband and loving father. He is survived by his wife LuEllyn, son David (Vivian), daughter Venetia (Mary), son Matthew, granddaughter Amanda (Jason) and two great grandchildren, Blaize and Ace. Dwight is preceded in death by his parents, and brother and sister-in-law, Dale and Carol Reece, and will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

A memorial service will be held at Faith Lutheran Church, 4805 West 67th Street, Prairie Village, KS 66208 on Tuesday, April 18 at 11:30 a.m. Visitation will be on Monday, April 17 from 5-8 p.m. at the McGilley & Hoge Chapel, 8024 Santa Fe Drive, Overland Park, KS 66204. A funeral service and burial will be held on Wednesday, April 19 at Zion Lutheran Church in Everest, KS at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Metropolitan Lutheran Ministry, 3031 Holmes Street, Kansas City, MO 64109 or donate online https://www.mlmkc.org or to the New Cemetery Fence Fund, c/o Zion Lutheran Church, 1521 Prairie Road, Everest, KS 66424.