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A Celebration of Life and Military Honors for Kenneth "Ken" Beard will be 11 a.m. Monday September 21, 2026 at the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri. Visitation 10 - 11 a.m. Monday prior to the service at the Schowengerdt Chapel. Inurnment at a later date. Contributions to a VFW of your choice. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.
Kenneth “Ken” Don Beard, age 79 of Kansas City, Missouri died Friday, September 11, 2026 at Delmar Gardens in Lenexa, Kansas. He was born March 9, 1947 to Donald Dwight and Beulah Marie Chapin Beard in Appleton City, Missouri.
Ken, one of four children, grew up in the Pleasant Ridge Community in rural Bates County, Missouri. He attended elementary school at the Hudson School and graduated from Appleton City High School (Appleton City, Missouri) in 1965. In 1967 he joined the army and was stationed in Cu Chi Vietnam with the HHT ¾ Calvary, 25th Infantry Division. After discharge Ken returned to Butler, living there many years before moving to Kansas City, Missouri.
Ken and Marge Mount were classmates who were later reunited. After they found each other again, Ken would travel to California to see Marge and she traveled to Kansas City to see him–growing their relationship. They were married on March 25, 2002. Ken was a longtime barber at the Southside Barber Shop in Butler, then in Kansas City. He was a member of the VFW.
Ken was an honest and hard working man who made many friendships–not only through his time as a barber, but also as a member of the VFW. He had an uncanny ability to bring a smile or a laugh to anyone, regardless of how bad a day they were having. Ken loved to travel with Marge to National Parks where they could watch the animals or a beautiful sunset. A hobby of Ken’s was perfecting his BBQ recipes. He was always up for a lunch date with Marge and Angie to Jack Stack BBQ. As he got older, Ken enjoyed sitting in the garage with a cold drink, watching the cars go by and visiting with anyone who would stop by. Ken will be remembered with affection and gratitude by all those who knew and loved him.
Ken is survived by his wife, Marge Beard of Kansas City, Missouri; daughter, Angie Kauffman and husband Kermit of Butler, Missouri; two grandchildren, Kaleb Kauffman and wife Ceceily of Butler, Missouri and Lanie Kauffman and fiancé Lucas Vert of Republic, Missouri; one great-granddaughter, Dakota of Butler, Missouri; two sisters, Edna Fenimore and husband Darrell of Weatherford, Texas and Kathryn Landers and husband Dale of Omaha, Nebraska; one stepson, Brandon Bowles (Beth); six step-grandchildren, Ella Bowles, Sophie Bowles and Lily Bowles all of California, Kenzie Mitchell and Zach Mitchell (Ally) all of Kansas City, Missouri and Breanna Mitchell of California. Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Leslie Beard; one sister, Joan Davis; and one stepdaughter, Angela Bowles.
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