Kenneth Bade, 75 of Overland Park, Kansas passed away on September 23, 2023.

Kenny was born in Kansas City, Kansas on October 29, 1947 to Rudolph and Alice Bade. He spent his childhood outside, playing baseball in the warm months and sledding down the alley in the cold months. He was especially close with his sister, Therese. Kenny attended Bishop Ward High School where he played football and was even involved in a theater production. He graduated in 1965 and went on to nursing school at Saint Margaret's and became a Nurse Anesthetist. While at KU Med, he crossed paths with a cute nurse-in-training, Laurie Smreker. The two were married in Kansas City, Kansas in 1978. The couple built a new house in southern Overland Park and soon welcomed their daughter Courtney into the world. Their son Ryan came along 16 months later.

Kenny loved working as a nurse. He spent time teaching at KU Med. He worked as a Nurse Anesthetist at Bethany Medical Center, Saint Joseph Hospital, and the Surgicenter of Kansas City. Kenny was a nurse for nearly 50 years when he retired in November of 2021. He would share fond memories of his time working in the Labor and Delivery department at St. Joseph (unless he was called in the middle of the night). He served thousands of patients with skill and kindness and was especially good with children. He worked alongside many doctors and nurses who became loyal friends, even if the jokes were bad. When they were children, Kenny loved showing off Courtney and Ryan around the hospital as they drove the Power Wheels vehicle down the halls. Later, he was thrilled to show off his granddaughters, Annique and Camille. Kenny loved his role as Grandpa Bade and would tell anyone who would listen about how wonderful and talented his granddaughters are.

Kenny now joins Laurie, as 18 months apart was just too much. The family is also comforted by his reunion with his parents, Rudy and Alice Bade as well as his sister, Therese and brother, Butch. He spoke often of missing them. Those he leaves heavy-hearted include his daughter Courtney (Dan); his son Ryan; his brother, Terry (Mary); his granddaughters Annique and Camille; as well as his beloved nieces and nephews and their spouses and children.

If you had the pleasure of knowing Kenny, please join his family and friends honoring his life on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at 10:30am. The service will be held at Community Covenant Church Lenexa, Kansas. A light reception will follow the service where you can greet the family. For those who cannot attend the services in person, a livestream will be available on the Community Lenexa YouTube channel and will remain on the channel to be viewed later. Locate it by going to the "playlists" tab and clicking on "special events."

Kenny was quick to defer to others, so memorials in his honor can be made to the Alzheimer's Association in memory of his mom, or the Olathe Hospice house in memory of his wife. Since he served in the medical field for so long, it would mean a lot to the family to support a medical cause that is important to you, in memory of Kenny.

- Alzheimer's Association: P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011

-Olathe Hospice House: Olathe Health Charitable Foundation (Write Hospice House in the MEMO); 20375 W. 151st St., Suite 363; Olathe, KS 66061