Albert Ivan Rees

Ivan was born on October 19, 1936 in Emporia, KS. to Gomer A. and Rhoda Edwards Rees in Emporia, KS. He married Connie Moeller. They divorced and he married Mary Jane Freymuth in 1993 in Emporia, KS.

Ivan was preceded in death by his parents, brother Harold Rees and sister Mary Woodruff. He is survived by his wife, Mary Jane; son Alan (Danita) Rees of Topeka; daughters Vicki (Eddie) Brooks and Susan (Tim) Jones of Emporia; stepdaughters Lori (David) Peterson of Shawnee and Kari (Dylan) Hitchcock of Olathe, 12 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Ivan grew up in Emporia, and following graduation from Emporia High School, he began working for Didde Glaser, Inc. (Didde Corporation). He retired from Didde after 38 years in Engineering Management. Ivan was involved in Habitat for Humanity building three new homes in Emporia. He was named Volunteer of the Year 2000 for the Habitat for Humanity in Emporia. Ivan relocated to Topeka prior to moving to Olathe in 2002.

Ivan was a devout Christian and lifelong member of the Lutheran Church. He chaired three congregations of Lutheran churches including Messiah Lutheran, Faith Lutheran and St. Mark’s Lutheran Churches in Emporia. He served on the Board of Church Properties as chairperson at the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Topeka. After relocating to Olathe, Ivan served as a member of the Board of Trustees and Building Committee at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Olathe.

Ivan loved sports and was an avid KU fan. Early days included playing and coaching baseball teams, participating on many local committees in Emporia including the Emporia Jaycees, East Central Regional Development Association, Metropolitan Planning Committees and various church committees. During Ivan’s lifetime, he built 14 new homes in his spare time. He was a great handyman and could fix anything.

Until he fell ill, he seldom missed a grandchild’s sporting event. His days in the long term care facility involved watching sports on TV, reading the daily KC Star, playing Bingo, and participating in the facility’s daily activities including weekly church services.

Cremation is planned. Services will be held at the Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, 13145 S. Black Bob Road, Olathe, KS on Saturday, October 5, 2024. There will be a visitation at 1:00 pm and a funeral service at 2:00 pm.

The family would like to thank the Colonial Village staff who loved and supported him in the recent months of his life.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, Colonial Village of Overland Park, 12500 West 137th St., Overland Park, KS 66221 or Gentiva Hospice, 8735 Rosehill Rd., Lenexa, KS 66215.