Rebecca “Deanne” Schlehuber (88), of Leawood, Kansas, passed away in hospice on August 15, 2026, surrounded by her immediate family.
Deanne was born April 25, 1938, in Lindsborg, Kansas, to Everett and Mildred Malm. She was married to Jack Brent Schlehuber from 1969 until his passing in 2015, and welcomed a daughter, Lisa.
Deanne attended McPherson High School and Augustana College (Rock Island, IL), graduating with a degree in Speech Pathology. She began teaching in Chicago before moving to the Shawnee Mission School District where she taught through the 1980s. It was there, in the Shawnee Mission Head Start program, that she found her true calling - working with her littlest students in a relationship of mutual love and learning.
Deanne loved cards, especially bridge and pinochle, and gathered with friends to play most Saturdays. In the 1970s, Deanne and Jack belonged to Immanuel Lutheran Church (Kansas City, MO), where she sang in the choir, served on the altar guild, and volunteered in the church office. She was also an enthusiastic member of the Junior Women’s Symphony Alliance, especially devoted to its annual Designers’ Showhouse. She was a loving mother who supported every activity including 7 a.m. orchestra practices, games for a team that never won, and pulling the occasional all-nighter sewing a costume.
Deanne is survived by her daughter, Lisa; son-in-law, Craig Gibson; the lights of her life, granddaughters Charlotte and Laurel, all of Lexington, Massachusetts; Lisa’s godparents, Michael and Ginger Lyons. We are especially grateful to her devoted caregivers of the past four years, Bobbie Williams and Juanita Simmons.
Deanne’s warmth, faith, and quiet devotion touched everyone fortunate enough to know her. She will be deeply missed but warmly remembered.
Visitation will be 10:00 am with Funeral Service at 11:00 am on Saturday, August 22 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1700 Westport Road, Kansas City, Missouri.
Memorials can be made in her honor to Immanuel Lutheran Church (KCMO) or to Growing Futures Early Education Center (Shawnee Mission, KS).