Service offers prayers, hope for Kelsey’s friends and family

By: Holly Kramer, Staff writer

Friends and family came together on Wednesday, June 6 to remember the life of Kelsey Smith.

A May Shawnee Mission West graduate, Kelsey disappeared in Overland Park Saturday evening. Searchers found her body Wednesday.

During a vigil Wednesday evening, Hillcrest Covenant Church pastor Mark Seversen addressed the crowd, which overflowed the 560-seat sanctuary.

“Kelsey’s parents wanted me to tell all the young people out there that you did not fail,” Seversen said, repeating “You did not fail” several times.

“You stepped in and you stood for Kelsey.”

Kelsey’s friends and classmates wore shirts that read “Believe in Kelsey” or “Kelsey’s Army” on the front and featured Kelsey’s senior picture on the back. Some wore blue ribbons around their wrists.

At the front of the sanctuary, a poster board contained messages written by people throughout the search and after the news of her death.

Seversen quoted Psalm 121, a verse about God watching over people.

When youth pastor Nate Seversen said Kelsey left an impression with everyone who met her, Kelsey’s mother, Missey, said, “Yes, she did.”

In a statement released earlier, Kelsey’s father, Greg, said Kelsey lived a full life, beyond her 18 years and she was a person “scrubbed with sunshine.”

Nate said Kelsey “walked in truth” in her life and continues to do so.

Several songs were played during the service, including “Amazing Grace.”

Nate encouraged the crowd to pray together. Many people came up to embrace the Smith family and share thoughts.

Some Shawnee Mission West faculty members attended the funeral including Kelsey’s choir director, Laura VanLeeuwen.

Throughout the evening, sobs could be heard.

Mark Seversen summed up the mood by saying God is watching over Kelsey now but “we don’t like the place he’s taken her because we want her here.”