Mary Elizabeth Boyd Duewel

Mary Elizabeth Duewel, 86, Belton, Missouri, met Jesus face to face on March 26, 2013. She died with her husband and family by her side. Mary was born on Aug. 9, 1926, in Montrose, Missouri, to the late John and Mary Boyd. She was raised on the farm and graduated from Montrose High School and then finished her studies at a secretarial school in Kansas City.

She married Richard "Wally" Duewel in 1946, and they lived together for 66 years in the Kansas City area. They have owned Doctors Equipment Service for more than five decades and she was the bookkeeper, from 1959 until just a few years ago. Mary loved reading the Scriptures and praying daily with Wally. Her passions included flowers, the beauty of autumn time, mowing the grass, reading books, cooking, and taking Wally on surprise trips all over the world. But most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her family. Mary's life was the consummate example of being a child of God, wife and mother. She cherished and was earnestly devoted to her husband. She was her family's rock, their steady, and their foundation. She was a lighthouse that pointed to Jesus. Her speech was laced with love and meekness. She was steeped in wisdom and her advice was widely sought after. Mary was fiercely strong in her humility. A life etched in grace, resting in the Joy of the Lord, she had a spontaneous wit and laughed from the core of her being.

She was preceded in death by one sister and two brothers. Mary is survived by and eagerly awaits her husband, Wally Duewel, and six children and their spouses, Rick and Kit Duewel, Debbie and David Salem, Daniel and Lila Duewel, David and Dru Duewel, Beckie and Rod Shimabukuro, and Nathan and Rena Duewel. She is also survived by her sister, Laura "Babe" Morris, 17 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Friday, March 29, with a memorial service beginning at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, March 30, at Grandview Assembly of God, 12320 Grandview Road, Grandview, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be made to Grandview Assembly of God. Condolences may be offered at www.mtmoriah-freeman.com.