Emma Ellen Sanders Tebbenkamp, daughter of Martin Harrison Sanders and Laura Ellen Schmutz Sanders, was born on Tuesday, September 7, 1926, on a farm 2.5 miles west of Mayview, Missouri. She departed this life at the John Knox Village Assisted Living complex in Lee’s Summit, MO on Sunday August 2, 2026 at age 99 years, 10 months, and 25 days.

She is preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, Sam, Russell, Armin, and a sister, Dorothy; her husband Calvin and son-in- law David.

Emma is survived by her children, Gary Tebbenkamp (Elaine), of Springfield, Missouri, Shirley Lenz (the late David Lenz) of Bunceton, Missouri, Denise Hill (Richard) of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, Janet Tebbenkamp (Art Hutchison) of Chicago, Illinois, Greg Tebbenkamp (Kathy) of Lee’s Summit, Missouri; grandchildren Joel, Andrew (Candace), Jeremy (Leah), Adam (Tiffany), Jon (Kerby), Hollee (Richard), Christopher, Aaron; plus great grandchildren Haleigh Maye, Addie, Easton, Brea, Elliott, Axel, Gus, Bristol, Rhett, Tate, Casper and Salem, two sisters-in-law, Gladys Sanders and Edith Hurr, as well as many other relatives and friends.

She was born and raised in Mayview, Missouri, and was baptized along with her brothers at their family home on Sunday, March 26th 1931. She attended Mayview Zion Evangelical and Reformed Church (later Zion United Church of Christ) and was confirmed there in 1939. Her confirmation verse is Proverbs 4:23. Emma graduated from Mayview High School in May, 1944 as class salutatorian. She attended Central Missouri State Teachers College and graduated in May, 1949 with a Bachelor’s degree in Education. Before receiving her degree, she was given an Emergency Certificate to teach business classes by the Concordia School Board and in 1946, at 20 years old, started teaching high school. It was in Concordia, Missouri, that she met Calvin and the story of their lives continued forward. On May 30, 1948 she was united in marriage to Calvin Omar Tebbenkamp and to this union two sons and three daughters were born.

Calvin and Emma worked in farming in Lafayette and Johnson Counties for a brief time. When Calvin began working for General Binding Corporation they moved to Wichita, Kansas for a year, then Tulsa, Oklahoma for 3 years and finally to Raytown, Missouri in 1959. Emma worked as a secretary at Missouri Public Service Company and expanded her business experience to become the office manager when she and Calvin owned and operated a ServiceMaster franchise.

Outside of work, Emma was an active member in many aspects at Southwood United Church of Christ for years. Emma’s experiences in 4-H as a youth prompted her to engage all of her children in 4-H activities locally, in Jackson County, and at the Missouri State Fair. Emma would tell you that she loved to read, play the piano, sing in the church choir and also enjoyed painting, coloring and gardening. Due to a lifelong emphasis of teaching and learning, her legacy includes homemade noodles, banana bread, pies, sugar and date pin-wheel cookies; with many of her handmade quilts and crafted embroidery as treasured family gifts. Among her many favorite activities were gatherings with family and friends especially grandchildren and great grandchildren. Upon moving to Lee’s Summit, she was a member of Lee’s Summit Christian Church where she was active in the Women’s Group and faithful in Sunday worship.

Emma was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, daughter and aunt. She was a good and caring neighbor and friend. Her long life is due in part to her daily walking and exercising and her strong faith. With joy we celebrate her life, her beautiful smile, the lessons taught and her many accomplishments.

Memorial honors can be made to the Mayview MO Foundation (mayviewmofoundation.com) and the Lee’s Summit Christian Church (lschristian.com). At this time the Emma Tebbenkamp family wishes to acknowledge the professional and loving care provided by John Knox Village nurses, staff, and Hospice team.