Obituary

Vanessa Lynn Buhrmester, 48, of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, died unexpectedly after a brief illness on July 7, 2025, at Centerpoint Hospital. Vanessa was born May 25, 1977, at Lexington Hospital in Lexington, Missouri, daughter of Bob and Velda (Wood) Buhrmester.

Vanessa graduated from Wellington-Napoleon High School, Class of 1995. She graduated from Northwest Missouri State University in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science in Education. She participated in the Teaching Fellowship program at the University of Missouri-Columbia, obtaining her Master’s Degree in Education in 2001.

Vanessa dedicated 25 years to the Lee’s Summit School District as a Kindergarten and First Grade Teacher, 24 of those years as part of the Woodland Elementary Family. She served on several district committees and went above and beyond for her students, not just in the classroom, but through clubs such as running, math, and coding. Vanessa, known as “Ms. B” to her students and school families, positively impacted hundreds of learners and often could be found sharing her love outside of school, attending sporting events, extra-curricular activities, and even high school or college graduations of her students/former students. Just this year, she was named one of 15 Excellence in Teaching award winners throughout the Lee’s Summit School District.

Vanessa was a loving, supportive, and caring daughter, sister, and aunt. She loved to cook and bake cookies; especially with her niece and nephews at Christmas. “Aunt Nessy” was a great cheerleader for all of the activities and events they were involved in; frequently at dance recitals/competitions, track meets, soccer games or anywhere else they could be found.

She was truly Forever Royal as a loyal and positive Kansas City Royals fan. Whether at the K or at home, she rarely missed a game; even while fighting and winning her battle against breast cancer. Vanessa was a proud Sigma Kappa at Northwest and continued to serve her sorority as a mentor and advisor. Vanessa was a committed member at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Lee’s Summit and served on the church preschool board, sharing her love for Jesus and for education.

Vanessa was predeceased by her grandparents, Robert and Elsie (Kruse) Buhrmester, Clarence and Mary (Koontz) Wood and one cousin, Clark Wood. She is survived by her parents, Bob and Velda Buhrmester of Lexington, her sister Veronica Lee and husband Bill of Liberty and their children Ethan, Elyssa, and Eric; several aunts, uncles, and cousins, many, many close friends and, of course, her fur kids Lucy and Bella.

The loss of Vanessa leaves a tremendous void in the many lives she touched. We rejoice in knowing she has joined her Lord and Savior, leaving behind a legacy of Love and Faith. Visitation will be from 4:00-6:00 PM, Sunday, July 13, 2025 at Langsford Funeral Home in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. On Monday, July 14, 2025, a short visitation will take place beginning at 10:00 am, followed by services at 11:00 am, at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. Interment will be at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Norborne, Missouri.

Those who wish to remember Vanessa in a special way may make gifts in her memory to The Lee’s Summit Educational Foundation or St. Matthew Lutheran Church. Arrangements by Langsford Funeral Home, Lee’s Summit.