Marcelaine Ruth Griffel, 92, formerly of Higginsville and Excelsior Springs, died October 19, 2020 at the Golden Age Nursing Home in Braymer, MO. 

She was born August 5, 1928 at Alma, MO to Edwin and Hilda (Miller) Kempfe. She was baptized on August 19, 1928 by A.H. Griesse at Evangelical Lutheran Church in Alma. She was confirmed on April 18, 1943 by Rev. A.H. Griesse. She graduated from Alma High School 1947 and went to the K.C. College of Commerce, K.C. MO. She worked for the Builders Assn. of K.C. doing secretarial work until she married Olen Eugene Griffel on June 19, 1949 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Alma, MO.

They lived in Independence, MO, and she stayed home to start their family. After the children were in school, she went back to work, starting as a loan cashier at Associates Financial in Independence, MO, then as Office Manager for a pediatrician in Kansas City, MO. 
On January 1, 1978, they moved to Crystal Lakes in Excelsior Springs, MO. She volunteered at Excelsior Springs Hospital and then worked as church secretary for Mount Calvary Lutheran Church for 10 years. She served on the Evangelism Committee, Church Council and Anna Circle. She also served as 2nd Vice President of the LWML of the Kansas City North Zone for 6 years. She retired on October 1, 1987 and they started spending the winter months in Yuma, Az. 
They moved to Higginsville in June, 1995. She became a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church and joined the Altar Guild and LWML.
 They moved to Braymer in 2016.

She is survived by:
Her husband of 71 years
Daughters:       Cheryl Schwindt (Thomas)          of Lee’s Summit, MO
                       Cynthia Griffel                           of Kidder, MO
Sister:              Frances Klaustermeyer (Donald) of Independence, MO
Son in law:       Thomas Groff                             of Grain Valley, MO
5 grandchildren: Andrew Hurley (Stefanie), Michael Hurley (Amy), 
                       Tanya Beckham (Paul), Sean Groff (Jessica), and Jason Groff
8 great grandchildren3 step-grandchildren

She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Gayle Groff; twin brothers, Harlan and Harold Kempfe; two great-grandchildren

Funeral Services will be at Immanuel Lutheran Church on Friday, October 23rd at 10:30 am. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the funeral. 

Casket Bearers will be Jason Groff, Sean Groff, Tommy Groff, Mike Hurley, Andy Hurley, Billy Mackie. 

She will be buried in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery. 

Memorials may be to Immanuel Lutheran Church Handicap Fund.

Kaiser-Wiegers Funeral Home