Liz Guevel

Mary Elizabeth “Liz” Guevel passed away December 24, 2024 following a short illness. Liz was born on August 23, 1934 to Henry and Tilly (Graupner) Backs of Lexington, Missouri. Liz grew up on the family farm and graduated from Lexington High School in 1952. She attended Central Missouri State College then worked as a secretary in Kansas City. She married her high school sweetheart Richard “Dick” Guevel on January 15, 1956 at Trinity United Church of Christ in Lexington.

Liz and Dick raised four children in Gladstone, Missouri, where Liz was a full-time mother and homemaker. Liz and Dick were charter members of Bethel United Church of Christ. When the fledging congregation began meeting, Liz agreed to play piano for services “until you can find someone.” She retired from that temporary position thirty years later and continued to sing with the choir and play with the handbell choir. Liz was also a member of Bethel’s Bazaar Association that crafted beautiful handmade items to raise money for local charities and church needs. Later she took up quilting and made custom quilts for her children and grandchildren.

Liz was an accomplished bridge player and played two or three times a week. Her original bridge club formed the core of her and Dick’s social group. The many “bridge club kids” complained that they couldn’t get away with anything with eight sets of eyes on them around the neighborhood. Liz was a cherished friend to many, but especially the Meyer, Gilpin and Spaunhorst families. The four families lived within a block of each other and gathered regularly for picnics, football games and lots of deck-sitting. Their friendship of over 60 years sustained them all through the many joys and sorrows of life and continues to this day.

Liz’s greatest joy was her family. She spent untold hours attending recitals, concerts and sports events with her children and was a trusted confidant to her grandchildren as they grew up.

Liz was preceded in death by her parents and husband. She is survived by her four children, Randa (Stan) Niederhauser, Patrick (Jan) Guevel, Lori (Mike) Seymour and Scott Guevel. She also leaves eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held Monday December 30, 2024 from 5-7 PM at Newcomer’s White Chapel Funeral Home, 6600 NE Antioch Road, Gladstone, MO. Funeral services are Tuesday, December 31, 2024 at 10 AM at Bethel United Church of Christ, 4900 NE Parvin Rd, Kansas City, MO 64117 followed by burial at White Chapel Cemetery. Memorials suggested to Bethel United Church of Christ.