Lucille was born in Axtell, Kansas on April 4, 1921. Her parents, Frank and Mary Mitchell, were devoted farmers. As the second-born of nine children, Lucille proved herself a hard worker in helping on the home-front.
Lucille had a strong Catholic upbringing and education. She attended St. Bridget Elementary school and St. Michael’s High School in Axtell. Lucille pursued a higher level of education at Saint Mary College (now University of Saint Mary) in Leavenworth, Kansas. To fund her education, Lucille worked as a student assistant throughout college. In 1943 she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English and Business. Lucille left Leavenworth with several lifelong friends and a degree to prove her diligent efforts.
Following her time at Saint Mary, Lucille moved to Kansas City, where she would eventually raise her children along with her spouse, Henry Dryer. Together they raised two exceptional women, Virginia and Carol. Lucille spent 32 years of her long life as an employee of Square D Electric. After formally retiring in 1986, she remained active in her community as a secretary at Our Lady & St. Rose Catholic Church in Kansas City, Kansas.
Lucille eventually settled in Grain Valley, Missouri to be closer to her daughter Carol. In Grain Valley she helped to establish the town’s Historical Society. She additionally volunteered with Community Services as well as the Parents as Listeners Program through the local school district.
In her free time, Lucille enjoyed baking treats and crocheting blankets for her loved ones. She competed for and won several baking competitions, particularly known for her apple dumplings and chocolate sheet cake. Lucille loved to sing both at Mass and in her home, with a coveted old-fashioned Jukebox to boast. She was devoted to the Lord and passed on her dedicated faith to the younger generations of her family, whom she fiercely loved.
Lucille was preceded in death by husband, Henry Dryer, daughter, Virginia, grandson Lee West, and all her siblings: Imelda, Sister Adrienne, Vince, Bette, Raymond, Paul, Teresa and Rosemary. She is survived by her daughter, Carol (Chris Valdiviez) and grandchildren; Lori Voigt, Robert Fuqua, Carol Fuqua, Jon Valdiviez (Rachel), Vince Valdiviez, Maureen Burnett (Duston), Martin Menninger (Laura), as well as 19 great grandchildren.
Since 1991, Lucille was a proud member of the St. Robert Bellarmine Parish in Blue Springs, Missouri. She lived out her latter years under the care of her daughter, Carol and son-in-law Chris. Despite suffering a traumatic head-injury which left her permanently blind at age 90, Lucille maintained her unwavering love and devotion to her family and to Jesus. She passed peacefully on January 9th, 2024, at the age of 102.
Services will be held Friday, January 19, 2024 at St Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church, 4313 SW State Route 7, Blue Springs, MO 64014. The Rosary will be at 11:00 am with Mass following at 11:30.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent in Lucille’s name to Catholic Charities of Kansas City-St. Joseph, 4001 Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, #250, Kansas City, Missouri 64130.
Arrangements: Royer Funeral Home, Grain Valley, MO 816-847-4441