Nancy Jo VanBecelaere

Nancy Jo VanBecelaere, 87, of Gladstone, Missouri passed away on February 26, 2024.

Nancy was born on September 7, 1936 in Lawerence, Kansas to parents, Clifford Olander and Edith Wilma Jennings Olander. Her family briefly lived in California and Texas, between returning to the Kansas City area, where Nancy graduated from Argentine High School. Her loved of education would never leave, and she continued her school obtaining her B.S. from the University of Kansas, as well as her Master’s degree in Education from UMKC. Nancy taught 6^th grade for nearly 50 years. Her biggest supporter was her husband of 67 years, Arthur VanBecelaere. From this marriage they were blessed with three children, along with many cherished memories of Square dancing, or the many trips they had taken in their RV. Nancy enjoyed every moment spent with her family, introducing the family tradition of yearly girls trips with her daughters. She especially enjoyed time with her grandchildren and on the water, primarily at the Lake of the Ozarks.

Nancy is preceded in death by her parents; grandson, Michael VanBecelaere; brother, John Olander; and infant sister. She will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by her husband, Arthur VanBecelaere ; children, Steve (Phyllis) VanBecelaere, Diana (Terry) Hazlett, and Lea (Kent) Marsden; grandchildren, Bobby (Christina) VanBecelaere, Chessa (Cory) Cline, Nicole Hazlett, Ceresa Hazlett (Jeremy Bachman), Justin Marsden, Courtney (Corey) Szamlewski, and Dana (Walker) Sharp; great grandchildren, Eli and Zeke VanBecelaere and Navy and Savanna Szamlewski; and many extended family and friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Charles Borromeo (900 NE Shady Lane Dr, Kansas City, MO 64118) on Friday, March 1^st with visitation beginning at 11am, funeral service at 12pm, and burial following at Terrace Park Cemetery. In honor of Nancy’s strong faith and lifelong dedication to shaping young minds, contributions may be made to St. Charles Borromeo Academy.