Nancy Mirikitani

Aug 22, 2015 | Obituaries, Obituaries 2015 | 22 comments

Nancy Mirikitani died August 21, 2015. Her funeral will take place at Colonial Church 7039 Mission Rd, Prairie Village, KS 66208 on Friday, August 28th at Noon. Reception to follow.

Nancy was born in Kansas City MO on Feb 17, 1942. Nancy married Frank Mirikitani on June 9, 1966 and they were very devoted to each other for over 49 years. She graduated with a BA from Avila College and she earned her MA from Webster University. Nancy taught the elementary grades in the Shawnee Mission School District: Flint, Ray Marsh and Roesland. She touched the lives of countless children in her 30 plus years in education as teacher, librarian and student teacher supervisor for Kansas State University.

When she wasn’t teaching, she and Frank traveled. Their experiences were legendary. They chased puffins in Labrador, saw Nelson Mandela in person at the 1995 Rugby World Cup, explored the Tiger Balm Gardens in Hong Kong, danced at the Leisure Suit Convention in Des Moines, sat near the Clintons at the US Marine Evening Parade, swam with a whale shark in the Caribbean, witnessed the largest fruit bat colony in Brisbane, toured Machu Picchu, ran from elephants in So. Africa, watched Jonny Wilkinson win the 2003 Rugby World Cup in Sydney, observed a space shuttle launch at Cape Canaveral, gaped at sumo wrestlers in training in Fukuoka, Japan, rocked the night away with “young” Elvis in Vegas and then many years later with the Rolling Stones in Wichita.
Nancy was known for her love for Frank. You couldn’t have a Frank without a Nancy as they were always together. Also, she had a keen sense of affection and loyalty to her close friends most of whom she met through her affiliation with the Kansas City Blues Rugby Club, Roesland School and Lake Dabinawa.

Nancy is proceeded in death by her parents. She is survived by husband Frank and her sister, Marilyn Sexton of Denver.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Kansas City Blues RFC see: www.kcblues.org Assistance by Funeral Advocates, LLC.

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john mack

8 years ago

What a Lady, always had a Smile for you.The Good Lord got another Beautiful Angel. God Bless! Johnny Mack

Frank Kennedy

8 years ago

God Bless you Frank…Nancy was one of the most wonderful and beautiful women I have ever met. Her kindness and support will forever be remembered.

Love
Frank Kennedy

Bill Hill

8 years ago

sorry to hear this news Frank. Nancy was such a great lady to everyone who was ever part of the Blue’s family will miss her. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Hal Edwards

8 years ago

The Queen of the Blues-a wonderful beautiful friend. Such a smile and so caring.
God Bless her and Frank. Together forever regardless.

Brian landers

8 years ago

Frank, I am so sorry for your loss. Blessing and prayers to you. What an amazing lady!

Denis Armstrong

8 years ago

Nancy truly was a beautiful woman both inside and out, you couldn’t help but be a better person just from being around her. So very sorry for your loss Frank.

Mark DePriest

8 years ago

My years at Roesland Elementary wouldn’t have been the same without her. I was sorry to hear of her passing, but at the same time, brought back some good memories from childhood. God Bless!!

Elizabeth Seymour

8 years ago

Frank you and yours are in my thoughts and prayers. Sorry for your loss.

Chuck Patterson

8 years ago

What a wonderful woman! Always beautiful. Always a friend. A loss for all of those who knew her. Frank, my heart is with you in this loss.

Theresa Van Goerhem

8 years ago

Mr. Mirikitani, Our family knew Nancy from Roesland Elelmentary, as she was the librarian for our two daughters. What a dedicated and delightful educator. She shared her love of reading, zest for life and life long learning with each of her students. With sincere sympathy, Dan and Theresa Van Goethem

Theresa Van Goerhem

8 years ago

Mr. Mirikitani, Our family knew Nancy from Roesland Elementary, as she was the librarian for our two daughters. What a dedicated and delightful educator. She shared her love of reading, zest for life and life long learning with each of her students. With sincere sympathy, Dan and Theresa Van Goethem

Shannon 'Billingsley' Gibbs

8 years ago

My sincere condolences. Mrs. Mirikitani was my librarian at Roesland. I will never forget her, from her teaching me the Dewey decimal system, to helping me write to Bryan Busby from KMBC to speak to our school and watching me a couple times while I waited for my dad to come get me afterschool during my mother’s chemo treatments. She was a special woman with a big heart. I will never forget her. Rest in peace.

Mark Luna

8 years ago

Thank you Mrs. Mirikitani. For being so kind, and always greeting us kids, with that welcoming smile! You were my 1st teacher crush! And your kind words always settled me down. You added to the awesomeness that is Roesland. May you rest in peace with our Lord and Savior.

Holly Hutchins

8 years ago

Mrs. Mirikitani was my kindergarten teacher & my sisters, she was also our school librarian. She was very close to my sister & I, and also my older brother, she never gave up on us, & always went the extra mile to make sure we where ok, she is truly one of the kindest persons I have ever meet in my life, she had such a caring heart for all of us at Roesland Elementary,she is one of those people whom made a difference in my life, you will truly be missed.

Annie Ball

8 years ago

I have really fond memories of spending time in the library at Roesland with Mrs. Mirikitani. For some reason, I can really vividly remember her sneaking a tissue out of her sleeve while she read to us. If it weren’t for her, I may never have moved past Choose Your Own Adventures.

Marvin Rogers

8 years ago

Frank, always looked forward to seeing Nancy & You on the plane flying to Las Vegas for Super Bowl. Your wife was a beautiful lady and truly will be missed. Sorry for your loss. Marvin Rogers

Tom Doyle

8 years ago

Nancy, touched us all in various ways. I had no idea how well she related to her students, but not one bit surprised. Nancy will be missed but not forgotten.

Judy Wolf

8 years ago

Dear Frank,
I am so sorry for your loss. I came back to teaching at Roesland in ’90 & Nancy was this incredible ball of energy that was an inspiration to me. Her & Dodie & Bonnie were fast friends, and I loved having the opportunity to work with her and get to know her. The lunchroom was always fun due to her comments and her exuberant personality.
Truly a gift in this world to all those she touched.

Dan Pluth

8 years ago

If Frank was the Blues founder and the soul of the club then Nancy was truly the matriarch and its strongest supporter. She always had a kind word for every player and will be truly missed.

Jay Garrett

8 years ago

Frank,are heads are bowed. We’re so sorry for for the loss of a wonderful humam being.
Jay and Jean Garrett

Zohra hussaini

8 years ago

She was my elementary librarian. A woman with passion and such a big heart. I’m 31 now and haven’t forgot her compassionate nature. May she RIP.

Bonnie McClellan

8 years ago

Reply to Theresa Van Goerhem

Dear Theresa,Thank you for your kind words about Nancy. I can’t believe she is no longer with us.We have established a fund at Roesland to buy library books for the Roesland library since there are no longer funds available for the librarian to purchase books for the library. If you are interested in participating,you can send a check to Roesland Elementary marked Nancy’s library fund.If you have other people that are interested in contributing,please let them know.I have such fond memories of Roesland and hope that you and your girls are doing well.Sincerely,Bonnie McClellan

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