Funeral Services for Deanna ‘Dee’ Louise Bisel, 77, (of Lawrence) will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at Lawrence Heights Christian Church in Lawrence. The family will greet friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Friday, January 31, 2025, at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence. Graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Topeka, KS. Dee passed on to glory on January 26, 2025, at LMH.
Dee was born on January 14, 1948 in Topeka, KS-the daughter of Lyle Duane and Dorothy Louise (Crane) Smelser. She married Ronald Grant Bisel on October 23, 1970 in Topeka, KS. He preceded her in death on August 22, 2013. She married Marvin Bredehoft on May 18, 2024. She is survived by her husband, her daughter, Kristi Ann Burgess (Thomas), her son, Dr. Ryan Scott Bisel (Adele); her grandchildren, Evelyn and Grant Burgess and Phoebe and Moses Bisel-each of whom are totally amazing humans.
Dee graduated from Topeka High School, class of 1966; Washburn University, class of 1970, with a degree in Business Administration. She left a trailblazing career as an executive with Hallmark Cards and struck out on her own courageously to found Minuteman Press, which she owned and operated for a quarter of a century. Her daughter, Kristi Bisel Burgess, purchased her company in 2017 and continues to operate Minuteman Press, with the same team. Under Dee, the company was inducted into the President’s Million Dollar Circle by MMP International and honored by Small Business Magazine as one of the 25 Best Companies Under 25 Employees in the Kansas City area. She was recognized as a business and community leader with such awards as Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame, Washburn University Distinguished Service Award, ATHENA Award for Excellence in Mentoring Women, Sam Walton Business Leadership Award, and American Business Women’s Association’s Woman of the Year. In 2023, she co-authored an academic book on entrepreneurship (Routledge Press) with her son. Basically, while others were forming a committee and making a PowerPoint, she just went full on superhero mode and got it done.
Dee served on various boards, including Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, Junior Achievement, Print Industries of America, Washburn University Alumni Association and Foundation, and Sertoma 48 BBQ. She helped start Lawrence Business Exchange. In addition, her personal philanthropy efforts were legendary. Seriously.
Always fun-loving, she enjoyed watching Chiefs and KU sports; she played Granny Basketball (voted MVG: Most Valuable Granny) and brought the National Granny Basketball Tournament to Lawrence in 2019. Dee was a Senior Olympian gold-medalist in softball. She vacationed yearly with her family at the Lake of the Ozarks. Her grandkids called her ‘Gabby’ and she took each of them on a trip when they turned 12. Her social calendar was full. Just try to keep up.
She loved Jesus, attended Lawrence Heights Christian Church and Immanuel Lutheran Church, prayed for her family every morning, shared the gospel, cared for others, offered Godly advice, and gave generously. She was the hands, feet, and wallet of Jesus.
The family wishes to thank Lawrence Memorial Hospital, Dr. Soule, Dr. Park, Nurses Josh, Lev, Paula, Amy, Katie, and Visiting Nurses for providing incredible care.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Ronald and Deanna Bisel Scholarship through Washburn University Endowment and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary. For more information or to post a condolence got to warrenmcelwain.com.
