Steven Edward Updegraff

Steven Edward Updegraff, 70, of Lee’s Summit, MO passed away August 18, 2025 at his home after a 4 year battle with ALS. Steve was born on August 19, 1954 in Jefferson City, MO to parents, Virgina Gaye Sanderson and Willam Edward Updegraff. Steve lived in Jefferson City, MO until graduation from Jefferson City High School in 1972.

Steve attended Central Missouri State University graduating in 1978 with a Bachelor Degree in Industrial Safety. Steve was employed right after graduation by Chubb Insurance where he worked for 10 years. He was then recruited and hired by Lockton Companies of KC as employee #150 as a Risk Control Consultant. Steve was employed for 37 years and was a Senior Vice President when he retired. He was quite proud of the opportunities that Lockton gave him, the friends that he made, and impact that he was able to make on the clients that he worked with while at Lockton.

Steve was diagnosed with ALS in June 2021. His diagnosis was probably delayed because COVID shut down health care for testing, symptoms of weakness in left arm started in 2019-2020. Steve was followed at the KU ALS Center of Excellence. Steve was a devoted MU supporter, but we will forever be grateful for the care that he received at KU during his battle with ALS.

Steve met his soulmate, Jeanie Mathews, in August 2011. They were married July 8, 2023. Their 14 years together were perfect. They traveled many times a year. They enjoyed their “Happy Place” at the Lake of the Ozarks. Retirement looked different than he had planned, ALS changed those plans. They lived each day as a celebration of their lives together and the time they had together. They were so lucky to have found each other.

Steve and Jeanie were quite the team. Steve loved the KC Royals, KC Chiefs, Missouri Tigers and the Mavericks. He played PlayStation almost daily. He was even able to get a new controller and with the assistance of Brody setting it up for him. He mastered playing his Madden Football game with his feet. There was always music in the house. Steve started each day playing “Angels among us” by Alabama as Jeanie did his morning cares. He ended each day with ”Good Night My Love” by Gloria Estefen during nighttime routine preparing to go to bed. Not a day ended that he did not tell Jeanie “Thank you for taking care of me” and “I love you bunches” – He was the best partner Jeanie could have ever wished for.

Steve is survived by his wife, Jeanie Mathews, of the home and a brother, Kim Smith, of Jefferson City, MO. He had many extended family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Randy Updegraff.

There will be a visitation from 1:00 PM -2:00 PM with a service from 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM on Saturday, September 6, 2025 at Floral Hills Funeral home at 7000 Blue Ridge Blvd, Kansas City, MO.

There will not be a graveside service at this time. There will be a celebration of Life at Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 50 at 914 NW Main Street, Lee’s Summit, MO starting at 4:00PM on Saturday, September 6, 2025 following the service. Please dress comfortably wearing Missouri black and gold or Chief Red or Royal Blue, this was Steve request.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Walk to Defeat ALS – Team UPPY. This is our third year of participating in the walk. Steve wants us to walk in his memory. His hope was to raise more money and have a bigger team this year. Please consider joining us on October 4, 2025. You can donate and or sign up to walk with us by going to this address: http://web.alsa.org/goto/teamuppy2025

Let’s try to make Steve proud of Team Uppy