Ellen Marie Dreiling Beechwood, Age: 95

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Feb 06, 1930---Aug 05, 2025

Ellen Marie Dreiling Beechwood age 95 of Leawood, Kansas passed away on August 5, 2025.

She was born in Victoria, Kansas and was raised in Hays, Kansas. Ellen graduated from Mount Saint Scholastica Benedictine high school and college in Atchison, Kansas. Ellen was awarded membership in the Kappa Nu Epsilon honorary math fraternity. After college she studied a two year program at Saint Joseph hospital in Kansas City, Missouri to attain her medical technology certificate where she then worked as a medical technologist.

She married Richard Beechwood on October 15, 1955. They were married 56 years before he preceded her in death in 2011. Ellen was a devoted Catholic, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She was also a community and church volunteer, an avid reader, enjoyed good music and a talented seamstress designing many items for family and friends. Ellen is survived by her daughter Jeanne Beechwood, son Tom Beechwood, son Jim Beechwood and granddaughter Cassandra Beechwood Palmer Hall, grandson Jake Beechwood, grandson Luke Beechwood, and granddaughter Lily Beechwood.

A Memorial Mass will be 10:30 AM, Saturday, August 16, 2025 at Cure of Ars Catholic Church, 9405 Mission Road, Leawood, Kansas. Memories and words of comfort can be shared with the family.

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Kathie O’Reilly Aug 09, 2025

Friend ,Kansas City ,Missouri

I was so saddened to hear that she had passed away. My work through Martin city melodrama, and working with her costumes was inspiring. she had so much love for her daughter, the theatre and creating. The theater world has surely lost another icon.

Jim Gisler Aug 09, 2025

Friend ,Prairie Village ,Kansas

Dear Jim and Family. I pray that the Lord's peace will be in your soul as you go through this difficult time. I also pray God will grant you the following blessing: May the Lord bless you And keep you Make His face shine upon you And be gracious to you The Lord turn His face toward you And give you peace (Numbers 6:24-27) May His favor be upon you And a thousand generations And your family and you children And their children, and their children (Exodus 20:6) May his presence go before you And behind you, and beside you All around you, and within you He is with you, He is with you (Exodus 33:14) In the morning, in the evening (Psalm 55:17) In your coming, and you going (Psalm 121:8) In your weeping, and rejoicing (Psalm 30:5) He is for you, He is for you (Romans 8:31) I leave you with this final thought: You are standing upon the seashore. A ship at your side spreads his white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength. You stand and watch until she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other. Then someone at your side says, “There, she is gone!” Gone where? Gone from your sight—that is all. She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as when she left your side and just as able to bear the load of living freight to her destined point. The diminished size is in you, not in her. And just at the moment when someone at your side says, “She’s gone!” there are eyes watching fer coming toward them and other voices ready to take up the glad shout, “Here she comes!” Amen

Shirley A Pfeifer Aug 10, 2025

cousin ,Hays ,Kansas

My symphony to the family. I can remember both Ellen and Noreen coming to the Pfeifer farm so many years ago for a visit. They and my dad were first cousins. Ellen's dad Herman and my grandma Rosa were brother and sister,

Alice Richardson Aug 11, 2025

Family friend of daughter ,Raytown ,Missouri

I first met Ellen and Richard Beechwood when their daughter, Jeanne, opened her non profit theatre for families, the Martin City Melodrama in 1985. I was a baker at the time and would thrill Jeanne's dad with large cookies I made that MCM would sell. Her dad would trade carrying sasparilla up the steps of the theatre building for a couple of cookies . He was a hoot. Jeanne's mom , Ellen, however, ended up making thousands and thousands of costumes by herself for show after show. They still exist today and are still used at MC. Ellen was a great mom to her children, but she was also a creative talented artist who was very well known in the metro for her amazing costumes. Hard to pick a favorite, but her giant 6 foot noses in 3d fashion were awesome. Ellen was always very kind to me when I saw her at rehearsals. I hope Ellen the angels are assisting you with making the wings for all to enjoy.

Vicki Distefano Perbeck Aug 14, 2025

Jeanne Beechwood friend ,Fairway ,Kansas

Please accept my sincere sympathy on the passing of your loving mother. I first took my children almost 30 years ago to Jeanne’s Martin City Theater. The costumes designed by Ellen were fabulous. Each play they became more elaborate. I admired her creative talent. What a legacy and memories for the family to leave. RIP loving soul.

Bernita Cauthon Aug 14, 2025

Friend of Daughter Jeanne Beechwood ,Kansas City ,Missouri

Jeanne, sincere condolences to you and your family on the passing of your Mother. We used to love her costumes at Martin City and that's where we fell in love with Melodrama and Vaudeville. The costumes were so beautiful and creative. Your Mom will be missed.

Kimberly Walker Aug 14, 2025

Friend ,Missouri

I'm so sorry for your loss, your mom's dedication to her craft is truly inspiring, and it's beautiful of her to help make costumes for so many years and will continue to bring joy to many people. Sending you love and support during this difficult time to the entire family, may God continue to bless your entire family.

Cory A Logston Aug 14, 2025

Friend. ,Newhall ,California

I was deeply saddened to hear of Ellen’s passing. I had the privilege of working alongside her for eight wonderful years at the Martin City Melodrama, where she brought her incredible talent and boundless creativity to life as our costumer. Her costumes, whether transforming actors into pigs, cows, Christmas ornaments, or countless other characters, were nothing short of magical. Ellen’s artistry, humor, and attention to detail brought so much joy to audiences and cast members alike. Beyond her remarkable skill, Ellen was a joy to work with, warm, gracious, and always ready to share a smile or encouraging word. I will remember her not only for her talent, but for the kindness and generosity she shared so freely. My heartfelt condolences go out to her family during this time. May her memory be a blessing to all who knew and loved her.