Mary Kay (Kuehn) Powell

Mary Kay (Kuehn) Powell, 87, of Prairie Village, passed away February 14, 2011, at her home.

She was the widow of George E. Powell Jr., former chairman of Yellow Freight System. Services will be private. The family requests no flowers and suggests contributions to Powell Gardens, 1609 N.W. U.S. Highway 59, Kingsville, MO 64061 or the University of Evansville, 1800 Lincoln Ave., Evansville, IN 47722.

She was born Mary Catherine Kuehn on July 29, 1923, in Evansville, Ind., to Freda Kammeyer and Nicholas Elles Kuehn. She maintained close ties with her hometown, having attended her 69th reunion of Bosse High School just last summer. She received an Associate of Arts degree in art and design from Stephens College in Columbia and was named to Tau Sigma Tau art honorary society there. She graduated from Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., in 1945, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education with a concentration in interior design and English. After graduation, she worked in interior design in Washington, D.C.

While a student at Northwestern, she met the love of her life, George Powell, who was washing dishes at her Alpha Chi Omega sorority house. They were married in August of 1947 and would share nearly 60 years together before George's death, in 2007. Mary Kay moved to Kansas City, and with great energy and love raised four sons while her husband was building Yellow Freight System (now YRC Worldwide) into a Fortune 500 trucking company. The associations they made through the company were very important to her. Among her civic involvement, Mary Kay was a trustee of the University of Evansville, and took special interest in its Harlaxton College campus in England. A dormitory on the Evansville campus is named in her honor. She was chairman of the Kuehn Foundation. She served on the Council of the Society of Fellows of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and volunteered in the Sales and Rental Gallery. She also volunteered with Head Start and the Children's Relief Association of the Children's Mercy Hospital. She was a trustee of the Ina Calkins Foundation, a member of the Janet Boone Society and the Jewel Ball Committee. She served on the board of the Rehabilitation Institute. She enjoyed painting, sculpting and playing golf, but after moving to Claridge Court her greatest enjoyment came from playing bridge and spending time with her wonderful friends at "the Home." She had a keen eye for art and loved all forms of art. She and her husband enjoyed traveling the world over, but her favorite place to be was in northern Michigan with her family at their summer home overlooking Lake Michigan. Her winters were spent in Florida, first at the Bay Hill Club in Orlando, and later at the Mountain Lake Club in Lake Wales. She attended the Sixth Church of Christ, Scientist. She was a member of the Kansas City Country Club and a former member of the River Club, the Kansas City Club, the Old Baldy Club, in Saratoga, Wyo., and the Evansville Country Club. She also enjoyed her membership in the Mission Hills Investors.

She will be missed by her 4 sons and their wives, George Everett III and Wendy; Nicholas Kuehn and Mary Ann; Richardson Kammeyer and Laura; and Peter Elles and Cappy; 9 grandchildren will especially miss their "Grandwater," Jessica Peryam (John) and Ashley Waterson (Mark); David, Stephen and Melissa; Katherine and Caroline; and Robert and Henry; 2 great-grandchildren, William and Caroline Peryam. She also leaves a sister-in-law, Marilyn Powell Rinker, and cousins, Shannon Logue and Robert Cowles Jr.

Arrangements are by the Cremation Society of Kansas and Missouri.

February 17, 2011
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort. Your parents were very special!
Gary McDonald, Huntersville, North Carolina
February 17, 2011
Mary Kay Powell was a wonderful influence on numerous people, a treasured friend, advisor and mentor to many...including me. My sincere condolences in the loss of your mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was a terrific lady.
E. Ann Stubenrauch, Surprise, Arizona
February 17, 2011
Your parents were great folks! My players are with you all..
Winston Adams, Palm Harbor, Florida
February 18, 2011
Nick, I was sorry to learn of the passing of your mother. Please accept my condolences.
Pat Quinn, Sugar Land, Texas
February 19, 2011
George and Wendy, Rick and Laura
So sorry about your mother. My mother and father were so fond of them. Loved to travel with them. They were such a great couple and always so interested in everyone else. Such a kind and interesting woman. Strong and resolute. Rich and I are thinking of you all and your brothers in this time of sadness. Revel in your memories,
Sharon and Rich
February 20, 2011
George;Patty and I were sorry to hear of the passing on of your mother, Mary Kay. You and Wendy and all of the Powells are in our thoughts.
Tom and Patty
February 23, 2011
To all the Powell Family, we are sorry to hear of the loss of your mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. We are praying for you - for Christ's peace and comfort to you. What a great lady - she will be missed by many. The Powell Gardens continues to bless her memory in this area! God bless you.
Chuck Zeikle, Independence, Missouri
February 23, 2011
George, sorry about your loss. Hope you and yours are doing well.
Mac
February 23, 2011
George, Wendy, Nick and all, I too am so sorry to hear about your Mother's passing. Many years ago I had the pleasure of meeting her and was impressed with her passion for the arts and Kansas City in general. Powell Gardens is a wonderful legacy.
Jere Hanney, Prairie Village, Kansas
February 23, 2011
I'm so sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers at this sad time.
Debbie Newman Jackson, Leawood, Kansas