Katy Laas

Kathryn “Katy” Ann Laas, 38, of Kirksville, MO peacefully left this earth on May 29, 2023. Katy was born on September 13, 1984 in Sedalia, MO to James Andrew “Andy” Laas and Ann Marie (Coslett) James.

Katy went to elementary and middle school in Smithton, MO, and finished middle school and high school at Stover, graduating in 2003. She attended State Fair Community College and later a culinary arts school in Santa Ana, CA.

Katy was active in theatre arts in high school, taking part in Speech and Drama all four years, being named 1st Team Kaysinger All-Conference in 2000, 2001 and 2002; as well as appearing in numerous high school plays.

Katy was very artistic and creative. She loved to write, often journaling in her spare time, as well as painting and drawing. During her time at the culinary arts school, she had the opportunity to help cater big events in Santa Ana, and after her time in California, she moved to Kansas City where she worked as a sous-chef in different restaurants. For seven years she was a barista at Starbucks in Santa Ana, Kansas City and Sedalia, and recently at Scooters Coffee in Kirksville, MO.

Katy was kind-hearted, fiercely protective, passionate, unashamedly blunt, and extremely funny with an infectious laugh. And she loved making people laugh, her humor being wicked and witty. She loved her family very much and was loved very much in return by her family, as well as her friends. She found her passion in her barista jobs with Starbucks and Scooters.

Katy is survived by her parents Andy and Michele Laas of Stover, and Ann James of Columbia; brother Zachary of Nashville, TN; sisters Ashley and husband Shawn McElroy of Linn Creek and Tiffany Metscher and partner Trevor Dinwiddie of Eldon, as well as nephews Cole, Ryan, Malkec, Zerrik, Lenox and niece Willow; grandparents Jenny Golding, Kent and Jane Uptegrove, Colleen Laas, as well as her many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Katy was preceded in death by son Elijah Michael Laas; grandparents Tom and Ann Coslett and Marilyn and J.D. Wells; James Laas and Floyd Golding; stepfathers Stanley Rye and Michael James; and niece Addison Michele Metscher.

A memorial service will take place at the Scrivner Page-Dady Funeral Home in Stover on Friday June 2 at 11:00 a.m., with the family receiving friends prior to service at 10 a.m.

Honorary pallbearers are Elizabeth Cotten, Ashley McElroy, Tiffany Metscher, Ellie Anderson, Madeline Montgomery, Bri McKee, Rebecca Case and Jami Mathis.