04/02/2026
Bertha “Louise” Sechrest, 91, of Kingsville, Missouri, passed away peacefully in Holden, Missouri, on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
Louise was born on Saturday, December 15, 1934, in Pittsville, Missouri, the daughter of the late Burney and Minnie (Haines) Smith. She grew up in Holden and graduated from Holden High School in 1953.
On January 26, 1954, she married the love of her life, Earl Sechrest in Holden, Missouri. After their marriage, the couple made their home in Kingsville, Missouri.
Louise devoted her life to caring for her family while also working alongside her husband on the farm. She was a hardworking woman who helped with every aspect of farm life, feeding cattle, baling hay, and tending the land. After Earl’s passing in March of 2001, Louise and her son Danny continued to operate the farm and care for the cattle. In later years, her grandson Lucas also stepped in to help with the farm and cattle, a reflection of Louise’s strength, determination, and deep commitment to the life they had built together.
Louise was a proud member of the Gideons International and a woman of strong and unwavering faith. As part of the Auxiliary Gideons, they participate in pinning the UCM nursing graduates with their Registered Nurse lapel pin. One of Louise's proudest memories of being a part of this great organization is pinning her granddaughter Brooke with her RN lapel pin.
She was a devoted member of Forest Grove Baptist Church in Pleasant Hill, Missouri, where she was actively involved in church and community activities. Family meant everything to Louise. She was a dedicated supporter of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She faithfully attended their sporting events and activities. Louise’s love for her family was immeasurable, and her passing leaves a tremendous void in the lives of those who loved her. She will be dearly missed.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Earl Sechrest; her parents, Burney and Minnie Smith; her son, Danny Sechrest; her great-grandchild, Noelle Huisman; three brothers; and one sister.
She is survived by her son, Darrell (Patricia) Sechrest of Papillion, Nebraska; her brother, Larry Smith of Florida; her sister, Mary McConville of Holden, Missouri; daughter in-law, Janet Sechrest of Kingsville, Missouri; grandchildren, Brooke (Russell) Poe of Kingsville, Missouri, Lucas Sechrest of Kingsville, Abigail (Christian) Moeller of Harrisonville, Missouri, Stephen Sechrest of Omaha, Nebraska, Beth (Josh) Kujath of Omaha, Nebraska, and Jamie (Tyler) Huisman of Fremont, Nebraska. She is also survived by eight great-grandchildren and one great-grandchild on the way.
The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Campbell-Cast Funeral Home, 407 S. Pine St. Holden, Missouri. The funeral service will begin immediately following the visitation at the funeral home, with Pastor Michael Wakeman officiating. Interment will follow in Kingsville Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Stephen Sechrest, Lucas Sechrest, Russell Poe, Josh Kujath, Christian Moeller, and Tyler Huisman.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Forest Grove Baptist Church, 16100 S. Hadsell Rd. Pleasant Hill, MO 64080, or Ascend Hospice, 783 NE Anderson Lane Lee’s Summit, MO 64064.
Arrangements are entrusted to Campbell-Cast Funeral Home, a Stewart Family Company. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.castfuneralhome.com