Dorothy Genevieve Vansell Landes Eken, 93

Dorothy Genevieve Vansell Landes Eken, 93, of Sedalia, passed away peacefully on November 14, 2015.

She was born on May 19, 1922, in Sedalia, the daughter of Charles and Gertie Vansell. She was married to Archie Paul Landes, Sr., who preceded her in death on November 10, 1985. On August 30, 2003, she married Truman Eken, who survives of the home.

She was a graduate of Smith-Cotton High School and later earned her cosmetology, real estate and brokers licenses. For many years she also worked alongside her husband, Archie, who was a builder.  Together they built many homes and motels in Sedalia and surrounding areas. She was capable of any task, whether it was roofing a house, driving nails or painting. Dorothy also decorated their motels and hand-made drapes for each room.
Dorothy was a life-long member of the Sedalia Country Club and was an avid golfer. Although she didn’t begin playing golf until she was in her sixties, she still managed to get a hole-in-one on the Club's course.

She was also a member of Wesley United Methodist Church and SOROSIS. In addition to golf, Dorothy loved playing bridge, mahjongg and traveling. She especially loved fishing with all her grandchildren at her cabin at the lake. She fried them up as fast as the kids could reel them in. Dorothy enjoyed music as she could play the piano and guitar by ear. She even wrote a song that she loved singing to her grandchildren while playing her guitar.

In addition to her husband, Truman, she is survived by four children: Linda Lee Vedder, of Springfield, Janet Shelby Thomas, of Sedalia, Archie Paul Landes, Jr. (Lee), of Columbia, and Nancy Gayle Melton, of Sedalia; thirteen grandchildren: Sydney Laflen, Patrick Vedder, Stephanie Johanning, Jessica Klassen, Jason Shelby, Katie Landes, Archie Paul “Trey” Landes, III, Sarah Lewis, Stephanie Melton, Aaron Berlin, Megan Baker, Laura Redinger and Adam Berlin; and fourteen great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband, Archie, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Cathy Berlin; three brothers and three sisters.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 18, at Heckart Funeral Home, with the Rev. Dr. Richard Adams officiating.
Casket bearers will be Patrick Vedder, Aaron Berlin, Jason Shelby, Trey Landes, Adam Berlin, Patrick Johanning and Jon Klassen.
Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until service time Wednesday at Heckart Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Susan G. Komen Foundation.