Celia P. Grayless

A much-loved wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, and sister, Celia Grayless, 61, of Olathe, KS passed away peacefully at her home on Monday, February 23rd with her husband and daughter by her side. She had bravely fought cancer for 15 months - living every day with an optimistic outlook and joy in her heart. She was born August 18, 1964 in Culion, Philippines. As an infant she was placed in the Balala Nursery in Culion, Palawan, Philippines - a nursery run by nuns. At the age of three she was adopted by Dawn and John Rutter of Dublin, CA and she arrived in the United States on December 2nd,1967. She graduated from Dublin High School in 1982. In January 1986 she enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and spent the next 20 years serving her country until she retired as Master Sergeant in May 1986.

During her 20 years in the Marine Corps, she served in South Carolina, California, Okinawa, Japan, North Carolina and Norway. Her passion in life outside of her family was scrap booking and she would spend countless hours creating personalized cards and other items for all of her friends. She relished her bi-annual scrap book camps with her girlfriends. Also, after retirement she became involved with the Certified Emergency Response Team for the city of Olathe.

She lived a servant’s life always being there for others and placing their needs before her own. She truly never said a bad word about anyone - she was an angel walking on this earth. Her selfless devotion to others resulted in the Shawnee Mission Rotary Club naming an annual scholarship in her honor for a Shawnee Mission North NJROTC student. She also was recently inducted into the Shawnee Mission North Hall of Fame for 20 years of Meritorious Service to the school.

She is survived by her husband of 39 years, Dennis Grayless; daughter Amber Limkemann and husband Scott; brother Fred Rutter and wife Carol of Forrestfield, Australia; grandchildren Carson, Hunter, and Brylee. She was preceded in death by her mother Dawn Rutter and father John Rutter.

Her family will receive guests for a visitation from 2:00-5:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 26, 2026, at Penwell-Gabel's Olathe Chapel with a memorial service following at 5:00 p.m. Burial will be at Leavenworth National Cemetery in Leavenworth, KS.

She lived a great life, fought a great fight, she kept the faith, she won the race!