Beatrice A Kuhlman

Beatrice “Bea” (Manzek) Kuhlman, 79, of Overland Park, Kansas passed away on April 19th, 2026.

Bea was born June 1st, 1946, as the youngest child to Joseph Manzek and Margaret (Rusnak) Manzek in McKeesport, Pennsylvania; they preceded her in death.

After high school, she moved to Kansas City to attend flight attendant school. While she graduated with high marks, the airlines deemed her “too short” to work… a sign of the times.

Around that time, she met William “Bill” Kuhlman, a farm-boy from Brunswick, Missouri and recent graduate from Missouri University of Science and Technology. They were married on June 4th, 1966.

Having a good income and a sense of adventure, they spent the first seven years of their life traveling the world. Finally deciding to settle down, they gave birth to their only son, Bryce in June of 1973. In the following three years, they gave birth to two daughters who, unfortunately, both died in infancy.

Bea was a devoted wife and mother and an excellent cook and seamstress. Bryce got interested in magic at an early age and spent the majority of his childhood performing around the KC area. Bea not only designed and sewed Bryce’s costumes, she started a business building magic props for one of the local magic shops.

Like her husband and her son, she was a bit of a polymath and always working on new projects. She learned estimation from Bill and started another company to provide freelance estimation for companies that couldn’t afford someone full-time. She was also a master of cross-stitch, creating dozens of highly complicated, beautiful pieces of art throughout her life.

After Bill retired, they spent the rest of the active years cruising all over the Americas and traveling to visit friends and family.

If one phrase could sum up Bea’s life is, it would be “quiet force.” She was naturally shy and introverted, but a creative genius with boundless energy.

Bea is survived by her son Bryce, daughter-in-law Jennifer Pauls and older brother, Joe Manzek.

Memorial contributions can be made to Children's Mercy Hospital.