Madeline Priess

Madeline was born on June 16, 1919 in Buffalo, MO to parents Noah and Ida Cline. She was the oldest of seven siblings, all of whom were raised on a farm surrounded by love. The siblings always said they may have lacked in material possessions but were rich in family and love.

Madeline helped her father mostly with the outdoor chores: hunting squirrels and rabbits, milking cows, gathering eggs, and anything else that was needed.

Once she was grown, off to Kansas City she went. There she met her soon-to-be husband of 65 years, Alva O. Priess (deceased 2005). Alva courted Madeline at the soda fountain in the Katz Drug Store. They also went to Union Station just to walk around and people watch. Soon after they married, Alva joined the Army Air Force and was stationed in Midland, TX. Madeline and baby Sheila joined him soon and lived on base. They were there during WWII. After completing his service, they moved back to Kansas City where Alva continued his occupation and opened Priess’s Barber Shop. A second daughter, Karen, completed the family of four. Madeline was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and sister to all her family and worked tirelessly as a homemaker. There wasn’t anything she couldn’t tackle with expertise – fabulous, huge dinners, cakes, pies and anything anyone wanted. She showed her love by making favorite dishes for everyone special in her life. She was handy with household chores, too. Painting outside and inside the house, cleaning gutters, mowing lawns, sewing clothes for herself, children, grandchildren, and nieces was how she loved to spend her time. There was never a job too large or too small that she could not do. She would rearrange the furniture and switch bedrooms around on a routine basis, so her husband never knew where his special chair might be or even the bed.

Madeline also enjoyed fishing with her husband, playing softball in the backyard with grandchildren, watching the KC Royals, and sitting on the back porch swing waving to the neighbors as they drove by.

Madeline is survived by daughters, Sheila Cooper and Karen Jones both of Kansas City, MO. Grandchildren Brian Cooper (Linda) of Seattle, WA; Brent Cooper (Marty) of Overland Park, KS; Cindy Boeckman (Troy) of Rosemount, MN; Sonya Huntington (Jon) of Independence, MO; Sara Mora (Jeremy) of Independence, MO. Great-Grandchildren Bennett Cooper of Minneapolis, MN; Cameron and Blake Cooper of Seattle, WA; Nicholas (entered Heaven in July 2018), Libby and Davis Cooper of Overland Park, KS; Riley Boeckman of Rochester, MN and Courtney Boeckman of Rosemount, MN; Cecelia and Brooke Mora of Independence, MO. Madeline’s sisters, Maxine Stoops of Springfield, MO; Janice Reeves (Garey) of Lee’s Summit, MO. Madeline has a host of nieces and nephews who she always loved and they loved her.

Madeline was preceded in death by her parents, Noah and Ida Cline; husband Alva O. Priess. Her sisters, Beatrice Brundridge of Buffalo, MO; Juanita Cooper of Independence, MO; Nettie Baker of Buffalo, MO; brother, Deryle Cline of Kansas City, KS.

A visitation will be held from 10-11 AM, service 11 AM, on Saturday, March 14, with reception following the graveside service, at Floral Hills Funeral Home and Cemetery, 7000 Blue Ridge Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64133.

We would like to thank the Nurses, CNAs, and staff at Kansas City Care Center. Christine, Cynthia, Angela, and Marilyn and the staff in her unit who took care of her and loved her as if she was family. We would also like to thank Ascend Hospice that provided extra care the last 6 months. They kept us informed after each visit, provided a wealth of information and comfort for which we will always be grateful. There are no words to express how much we admire the work of the caretakers and hospice. It’s an occupation only special people can do and do well.

On Madeline’s 100th birthday, we had a small reception. She was in wonderful spirits, singing and dancing in her chair while visiting with her guests. In attendance, many family members traveled to Kansas City, local family, and care staff attended her wonderful milestone.

Madeline had sips of her loved Coca-Cola right up until she joined loved ones above. In honor of Madeline and her love for this soda, we would like you to join us after the services and burial, back in the funeral home, for a small fellowship with cookies and an ice-cold Coca-Cola.

She would say the key to her longevity is a cold Coke or two each day!