Renate K. Voepel

Wife, Mom, Oma, Mother-in-law, and loyal friend….she had many roles and all were built on a foundation of love.

Renate K. Voepel was the heart of this family and that heart stopped beating on August 3rd, 2022, while she was surrounded by her family and wrapped in an insurmountable amount of love.

Renate was born on November 16, 1935 in Mülheim Ruhr, Germany. Her early years were spent in the midst of World War II with many nights in the basement of their home, while their city was being bombed. She managed to still share wonderful stories of her at times difficult childhood.

Renate treasured the many, friendships she made in those early years and the many relationships she maintained to this very day. She married Karl in 1958 and three children later, the family was complete. Renate was a stay-at-home mom, which was the greatest gift to her kids.

In 1974, Karl uprooted the family and moved to Leawood, Kansas. Renate left behind her friends and family, and started a new life in a foreign country, with foreign customs, and a foreign language. She got her driver's license, attended Johnson County Community College to learn English and read countless books in English and soon mastered the second language.

It didn't take long for Renate to make friends with German Ex Pats and new neighbors because to meet Renate was to love her – she had a beautiful smile, an infectious laugh, a huge capacity to love and accept, a wicked sense of humor, a strong belief in traditions, a passion for the underdog, a love for all animals and the gift to heal all wounds, especially the emotional ones.

In 1983, Karl once again uprooted the family, when they moved to South Bend, Indiana and Renate once again rose to the occasion by making new friends and tutoring students in German at the University of Notre Dame.

Originally planning to move back to Germany after retiring, in 1994, Karl and Renate decided to remain in the United States be closer to their children and grandchildren and moved to Overland Park, KS. They built a pool in the backyard that became a much anticipated summer destination for the family, the annual pool party and many lazy weekends.

She was a devoted and supportive wife and her world revolved around her children and grandchildren. They were her fuel. She was absolute in her love, support and worry for her family and was always there to listen, give advice, or pack her bags and come to wherever you needed her to be.

Renate had a history of chronic health issues, but seldom complained. She endured many surgeries and much pain over the years and if there is a blessing in her passing, it's that she is finally at peace, pain free and whole again.

Her loss is profound, but her legacy will live on. She leaves behind her husband of 64 years, Karl, her sister Ingrid Fellenz, her son Kai Voepel and his wife Martha, her daughter Christina Hoffman and her wife Angela Locke, her son Jens Voepel and his fiancée Emily Snow, her grandson Bryan Ash and his girlfriend Samantha Meland, her granddaughter Danielle Spitza, her husband Chad and soon-to-arrive great grandson Christoph and her beloved cat Luna.

"Death leaves a heartache no one can heal; Love leaves a memory no one can steal"

In lieu of flowers, we ask for donations to KC Pet Project in Renate's name. Thank you.