Bernice "Bee" Jo (Neeley) Kuckelman

Bernice (Bee) Jo Neeley Kuckelman departed this world, at home in Columbia, Missouri, surrounded by loved ones on March 17, 2026, at the age of 100. She was born in El Dorado, Kansas to Ted and Leola Neeley. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Paul, with whom she shared more than 50 years of marriage and a huge loving family.

Bee and Paul moved to Columbia in 1959 to start his career with Westlake Hardware. She dedicated her life to caring for her large family and anyone else who needed it. Everyone was welcome at her house and there was always room at the dinner table. She was a very busy parent but still attended every child's basketball game, school event and baton recital. She was a Girl Scout leader for her daughters for many years, volunteered in the school library, and was a classroom Room Mother for each of her children. Bee was a longtime member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, and both the church and school were a huge part of her life since moving to Columbia. She was involved in women's groups and active in the PTA. She continued to be an active member for most of her life.

Bee was a graduate of Kansas State University and of Stephens College, with degrees in languages and writing. Although she always identified as a K-State Wildcat, more than half of her life was spent in Columbia so she was also a loyal MU Tigers fan. She published two books - Keep Me In Stitches and Behind Grandma's Back. Her writings and poems have appeared in numerous magazines including Quilters Newsletter Magazine, Columbia Magazine, Good Old Days, as well as the Midwest Poetry Review, Show-Me Missouri Women, Harbinger, and First Anthology of Missouri Women Writers. She also wrote a monthly column for the Booneslick Trail Quilters' Guild for many years. She was a lifelong teacher for her kids and anyone else that needed it. Even at age 100, with eyes closed and seemingly asleep, if you improperly used a word she would gently correct you. Her other interests included reading, quilting, travel, crossword puzzles and playing cards with family and friends. She always enjoyed spending time with family in her condo at Lake of the Ozarks.

Bee was a longtime member of Booneslick Trail Quilters' Guild and served on all the positions of the executive board. She took many classes and workshops from The Quilt Cottage, perfecting her skills. She made quilts for her kids and grandkids and filled her home with beautiful quilts and wall hangings. She participated in the Our Lady of Lourdes quilting group, creating quilts for raffles. She even created a quilting badge for her Girl Scout troop. Bee’s sewing skills were not limited to quilting. During Covid she and daughter Susan and grandchild CJ spent many months creating over 5,000 custom face masks, mostly for health care workers, which they donated, using some of her beautiful quilting fabric.

In addition to her husband Paul, she was preceded in death by her brother Bob Neeley, sister Mary Bachman and grandchildren Tyler Kuckelman and Annie Leonard.

Bee was gracious, polite and kind and always thankful to anyone who helped her. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew her, especially her sons Steve and wife Angie of New Mexico, Brian and wife Pam of Texas, Ken and wife Crystal of Iowa, daughters Diane Gilbert, Carolyn Guisti, and Susan and husband Bob Leonard, all of Columbia, Colleen Kuckelman of Colorado, Jane Kuckelman of Kansas, and Joan and husband John Truesdale of Colorado, and by grandkids Solomon and wife Linda Kuckelman, Ashley and husband David DeLayo, Logan Ferran and wife Cassandra, Crystal and husband Dan Kulle, Michelle and husband Wes King, Brett Gilbert and wife Kortney Sebben of Columbia, Alex Gilbert and wife Kristin, Ted Leonard and wife Paige, Paul Leonard, CJ Leonard, Noelle and Samantha Guisti, Kathryn Kuckelman, Allie Truesdale and husband Daniel O'Sullivan, Adam Truesdale, Grace Truesdale, Jillian Truesdale, 23 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

A funeral Mass will be held Monday, March 30th at 11:00 at Our Lady of Lourdes, with an informal, casual gathering on Sunday March 29th, from 5:00 – 8:00, in Flanagan Hall. Bee loved beautiful colors, especially blue and purple, so feel free to wear these colors to the funeral. Memorials may be sent to Shriners Hospital or Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 903 Bernadette Drive Columbia, MO 65203.

Condolences and fond memories can be shared at www.memorialfuneralhomeandcemetery.com