Stella Jean Dyer

Stella Jean Dyer, 87, of Overland Park, Kansas, passed away on August 16, 2026. Born on February 26, 1939, in Kansas City, Missouri, she was the daughter of Herbert and Stella Salmon Kopp. Raised in the Kansas City area, she attended Southwest High School before devoting her life to her family and community.

For many years she worked at The Jones Store Company part-time which allowed her to stay deeply involved in her children’s school activities. She was a faithful member of Southminster Presbyterian Church for 64 years. During those years she taught middle school Christian education, served as Junior High and later Senior High Fellowship leader, and church elder. However, her true passion was the Family Life Committee where she faithfully visited the homebound, delivered meals, and offered a steady, compassionate presence to anyone in need.

Stella was a genuine “people magnet” — individuals of all ages and backgrounds were drawn to her warmth, sensitivity, welcoming spirit, and sharp wit. She believed in practicing small, intentional acts of kindness every day. To Stella, every person she met — whether a complete stranger, a longtime friend, or a fellow parishioner—was an individual worthy of dignity and care. She made a point to remember everyone by name, to learn what mattered to them, and to ask about their families. Throughout her life, she held fast to old friendships while continually opening her heart to new ones.

Lovingly known as Grammy by her family, she enjoyed making holidays special by providing a nicely set table, gifts that were carefully selected, and a welcoming home. And she never wanted the festivities to end. Traditions, smiles, laughter and her famous frozen fruit salad were the recipes that created a lifetime of happiness for the family. She loved bowling, book club, neighbors, friends, her extended family and was still playing golf at the age of 87. Stella and Kerm worked hard, but still made time to see the world, travel with family and watch their Jayhawks on the road.

On the floor of St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, an inscription to the renowned architect Christopher Wren reads: “Reader, if you seek his monument, look around you.” The message reminds visitors that Wren needed no grand physical statue; the cathedral itself served as his living legacy. Stella will be laid to rest in a peaceful columbarium at her beloved church. If you seek her monument, you will find it in the countless faces of all those who knew and loved her. She never sought recognition or praise. Her response to others evolved from her abiding faith. She will be profoundly missed by all who knew her, and above all, by her devoted family.

Stella is survived by her devoted husband of 68 wonderful years, Kermit W. Dyer; her son David E. Dyer (wife Susie), Denise L. Dyer Swayne; her three granddaughters, Tara M.Tinney, Amanda J. Dyer, and Megan M. Dawson (husband Craig); and her seven great-grandchildren, Maxton Garcia, Ella Dyer, Hazel Gates, Millie Dawson, Parker Dawson, Kate Dawson, and Claire Dawson.

A celebration of life service will be held in the afternoon (Time TBD, please check back soon) on September 26 at Southminster Presbyterian Church in Prairie Village, Kansas. A visitation with the family will follow immediately after the service.  

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Southminster Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund. The family expresses their heartfelt gratitude for the abundance of love, support, and kindness extended to them during this time.