Cindy Vanarsdall, 62, of Grain Valley, MO went to be with Jesus on Thursday, May 8th, 2025 while surrounded by her loving family at home. She was born on December 30th, 1962 in KC, MO to Jim and Shirley Henson (Schneider). Visitation will be 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 13, 2025 at the First Baptist Church of Grain Valley, Grain Valley, Missouri. A memorial service will follow at 12:00 p.m. at the church. Private burial.
Cindy graduated from Grain Valley High School where she played basketball and track and made lifelong friends. She was the first girls basketball player in GV history to score 1000 points and was an avid sports fan her whole life. After graduating from Mizzou, she became a Physical Education teacher. She spent her entire career at Cler-Mont Elementary and loved seeing former students as they grew.
In her retirement, Cindy enjoyed working outside with Dennis and they enjoyed traveling with friends and family. Cindy spent most of her time with her children and grandchildren, teaching them to love one another and appreciate God’s creation. You would rarely see her without a grandkid nearby learning about whatever Cindy was up to that day, including identifying various birds, trees, flowers, or baking something. In addition to loving her family well, she actively served as a member of First Baptist Church Grain Valley. Most recently, she invested in the church by teaching Sunday School, helping with weekly youth ministry, chaperoning youth camp and teaching VBS. Cindy was intentional to share the love of Jesus with the students in her care, as well as the adults she encountered along the way.
Cindy was preceded in death by her mother, Shirley Henson. She is survived by her husband of 38 years, Dennis, her daughters Katie Hoppenstedt (Garrin), Kelcy Beyers (Cody), and step-daughter Amy, her father Jim Henson, brother Ted Henson (Cheryl), sister Cathy Kennon (Marvin), 6 Grandchildren Braylon, Blaire and Brynn Hoppenstedt, Finley, Fallon and Flora Beyers, and many loved nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles.
Arrangements: Royer Funeral Home Grain Valley, MO 64075 816-847-4441
Trina Cole
9 May 2025Our thoughts and prayers go out to this beautiful family.
the staff of St Luke’s Surgicenter – Lee’s Summit
June Jones
9 May 2025My heart breaks for Dennis, Katie, Kelsey, Jim and the rest of the family. I knew Cindy when she was a new teacher at ClerMont. She was fun to be around through the years I taught at ClerMont. We also attended church together and were involved in vacation Bible school. Cindy was a tough lady and didn’t understand the term “slow down”. She told me a couple of years ago she would keep working with the kids as long as God let her do it. She will be missed by so many people. I am proud to consider her my friend. 🤟 June
Denise Craig
9 May 2025Cindy was one of my favorite PE friends. She was so much fun. She made us all laugh in the PE meetings and she loved teaching. More than anything she loved her family! If you didn’t know Cindy you were missing out. To know her was to love her, she told you what she thought and I loved that about her. A cold beer seemed to always solve any issues. Thank you God for allowing me to be friends with someone who made the world a better place! ❤️
Danielle Potter Kermoade
10 May 2025There are no words that can begin to describe how amazing Mrs. Vanarsdall was as a teachers. I was lucky enough to have her as my PE teacher in the 1980s. I’m so sorry to hear this news but I have no doubt she is in Heaven. She changed hundreds, probably thousands of kids life’s for the better including mine. Prayer for your family and friends during this time.
Becky Iloilo
10 May 2025Mrs. V was the best! She had several of my kiddos at ClerMont. She will be missed.
Debbie Dean (Nauman)
12 May 2025Losing Cindy is like losing a member of your family. She had a big heart. Made an indelible mark on many kids she taught and guided over the years. The world has lost one of the good ones. While we have not been in contact these last few years, I was surprised by her leaving us so soon. When we did see each other it was like time had never passed. Her same laugh and quick smile for all. Just never think it’s going to happen. With losing her the memories come flooding back. We had such fun times growing up in GV. My heart goes out to Dennis, Kelcy, Katie, Jim. May your own great memories help comfort you. God Bless you all