Edsel Kem

SHAWNEE, Kan. - Edsel Eugene Kem, 90, of Shawnee, Kan., peacefully passed away on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016, at Shawnee Mission Medical Center in Merriam, Kan.

Ed was born in Matthews, Mo., on Oct. 19, 1925, to Louis R. and Rosa (Bohannon) Kem. He graduated from Canalou High School, class of 1943.

He married Glodine D. Gray in Piggott, Ark., in July 1945. They were married for 66 years until her passing in 2011.

Ed served in the U.S. Army in the Philippines at the end of WW II. Once discharged, he began working for Montgomery Ward, Oakland, Calif., in 1946. He retired from Wards in Merriam, Kan., as regional credit manager in 1988. For several years after retiring, Ed and Glo enjoyed their years in Mesa, Ariz. He was an avid golfer, card player and community member in Leisure World. The Kem Family moved back to the Kansas City area in 2006 to be closer to family.

Edsel is survived by his daughter, Pattie (Gene) Wall of Lebanon, Kan., and son, Scott (Teresa) Kem of Lenexa, Kan. He had three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He leaves behind a brother, Lawrence R. Kem of Milwaukee, Wis.

He is predeceased by his parents and his brothers, Randolph Kem of Matthews, Mo., and Joseph Kem of Bowling Green, Ky., and sisters, Zelma Duncan of Sikeston, Mo., and Louise Chaney of Canalou, Mo.

Graveside memorial services are Saturday Oct. 22, 2016, at 9:30 a.m., Sikeston Memorial Gardens, 1201 S. Kingshighway, in Sikeston.

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