History & Staff
We have years of experience caring for families, from all walks of life. Each family comes to us because they know we are leaders in our profession, dedicated to excellence in service, and have the highest integrity.
When we sit down with a family, we have just one goal: to create a fitting, memorable and affordable service for their loved one. Together, we explore the wide variety of services and products available, as well as a wealth of creative ideas and suggestions.
Together, we will design a memorial or funeral service that suits their needs now, and in the future. Families who come to us know that years from now, they will have deep peace-of-mind because in coming to us, they've done the very best to honor their loved one.
Our History
Kidwell-Garber. More than just a name.
Kidwell-Garber is not only brick and mortar, but a legacy of service that is steeped in commitment, trust, compassion and celebration of life. For more than 160 years, Kidwell-Garber has had the opportunity to serve the families of Versailles and surrounding communities, and the west side of the Lake of the Ozarks. As the second-oldest funeral home in the state of Missouri and the oldest business in Morgan County, that legacy continues today.
The founding family. Visionary civic commitment.
In 1844, William Kidwell, Sr. founded Kidwell Funeral Home and Kidwell Monument Company with an entrepreneurial spirit and goal to serve his community. He and his descendants accomplished that goal with a contagious commitment to civic duty and the needs of their client families. Upon Bill Kidwell’s death, his wishes were to divide his company among his dedicated group of employees. The following years led Raymond and Susanna Garber to purchase all outstanding stock from Bill’s successors, gaining full ownership in the 1970s. With the utmost respect for the Kidwell family before them, the Garber name was added to follow the company founders, creating Kidwell-Garber, Inc.
Vintage name. Vintage values. New beginnings.
Raymond and Susanna not only kept the Kidwell family’s legacy alive, they expanded it. Focusing solely on funeral service and granite products, they sold the Wilbert Vault franchise, which continues to operate in the area under separate ownership. In 1979, they purchased a tract of property in Laurie, Missouri to serve the growing west side of the Lake of the Ozarks. On that property, the Kidwell-Garber Laurie/Sunrise Beach Chapel was built. The East, adjacent portion of the property was developed as Garber Memorial Estates, a privately held cemetery for the residents of Lake West communities. Over the years, The Garber family has continued to demonstrate commitment to their communities by continually improving services and facilities for the families they serve.
Today. Tomorrow. Looking forward to the next 160 years.
The Garber family continues to hold ownership of Kidwell-Garber, Inc., perpetuating the legacy that has been built for over a century and a half. Following Raymond and Susanna’s leadership, their son, Gary Garber led the company for over 30 years as president of Kidwell-Garber, Inc. Being a family operation, their son-in-law, Larry Akin, also served the company for over 30 years as manager of the granite division, Kidwell Granite Works. In 2009, after a thirty-nine year teaching tenure, Ray and Susanna’s daughter and son-in-law, Larry and Sue Garber Akin, acquired all outstanding stock to become sole owners of Kidwell-Garber, Inc. Larry passed away in 2011, leaving his legacy within the granite division and his surviving family. Sue continues to guide Kidwell-Garber with her daughter, Suzanne Akin Hall and her son, Landon Akin.
Service. Expectation. Product Satisfaction.
Kidwell-Garber, Inc. is the parent of Kidwell-Garber Funeral Homes, Kidwell Granite Works, Garber Memorial Estates and Kidwell-Garber Funeral Plans. Unique to Kidwell-Garber is the ability to provide all products and services related to an aftercare need. A family is allowed the opportunity to seamlessly create a custom funeral service, design a personalized granite memorial, choose burial plots and/or pre-plan funeral arrangements – assisted by our staff with full knowledge of the family’s wishes. Options are as diverse as the families served, ranging from a traditional chapel service to a memorial gathering on a dock at sunset. For perpetual memory in stone, granite memorials can be fully customized and tailored to reflect the architecture of a life.
It’s unique. Kidwell-Garber client-families receive full attention from the provider/manufacturer.
At Kidwell-Garber: Expectations are consistently met. Service is second to none. Product satisfaction is paramount.
A Note from Sue Garber Akin…
Bill Kidwell may have never imagined what Kidwell-Garber would become. However, with my parents, Ray and Susanna as mentors and consultants still today, I proudly continue to offer expertise, service, knowledge and products with the compassion for which we have been known for more than 160 years. And, just as important as our owner-family is our employee-family. They are a fantastic group of individuals for which I am most thankful. Our company has been fortunate to provide outstanding funeral services and memorial products due to our staff members and their daily commitment to serving you. I am confident Kidwell-Garber and its staff will surpass your expectations.
Leadership & Key Staff
Raymond & Susanna Garber, Funeral Directors
As successors of the Kidwell family, Ray and Susanna have spent nearly 60 years as employees at Kidwell-Garber, Inc., with nearly 40 of those years as owners. They are still active in the business, giving guidance that only 120 years of combined experience can provide.
In their leisure time, Ray and Susanna have been lifelong travel enthusiasts. However, they now spend more time closer to home with their great-grandchildren, Landri Hall and Ethan Garber.
Sue Garber Akin, CEO/Owner
Sue, a graduate of Central Methodist University, retired from the Versailles school system with a 39-year tenure as an award-winning teacher. As a licensed funeral director, she has been a partner of Kidwell-Garber for nearly 20 years, acquiring complete ownership in 2009. She now oversees the leadership of the company.
Sue is an avid certified Master Gardener through the University of Missouri. She also enjoys riding her prize Tennessee Walking Horse, Knight, and spending time with her granddaughter, Landri Suzanne.
Suzanne Akin Hall, Embalmer/Funeral Director
A graduate of Central Methodist University and the Kansas City Kansas Community College, Suzanne holds a B.S. in criminal justice and an A.A.S. of mortuary science. She is the senior embalmer/funeral director on staff, managing all funeral operations. Suzanne is also the primary counselor meeting with client-families to design arrangements for services and pre-need planning.
In 2010, Suzanne and her husband, Corey, welcomed their first daughter, Landri Suzanne Hall. When not trying to keep up with Landri, Suzanne enjoys playing volleyball on various leagues in the Lake area.
Landon Akin, Director of Operations
Landon is a proud graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia with a B.A. in marketing and psychology. He spent several years in Kansas City, managing advertising for hospitals and working in marketing for the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce. Landon is now an apprentice funeral director, and is responsible for directing marketing and the comprehensive business unit of Kidwell-Garber, Inc.
When not in his office, Landon can usually be found boating on the Lake or traveling somewhere new.
Rodney Vogt, Granite Division Manager
Rodney has been a granite guru for nearly 30 years. Throughout his tenure at Kidwell Granite, he has mastered every facet of the operation. As manager of the granite division, he oversees daily plant operations and supports granite sales agents. Rodney is available to answer any questions regarding granite products. He is also the primary memorial designer, with the ability to create completely custom memorials using the latest technology.
Rodney is an avid outdoorsman. He spends free time fishing and hunting, as well as enjoying time with his family.
Claudia Burris, Records Manager
Anyone contacting Kidwell-Garber will inevitably speak with Claudia at one point. She manages all records and correspondence for the four companies. Questions about invoices, life insurance assistance, government agency processes? Claudia is the friendly expert who guides our client-families through any paperwork.
Claudia and her husband, Ken, are very active in the Trinity Baptist Church. The only thing that might come between them and their activities there is spoiling their two grandsons.
Elisa Menning, Sedalia Monument Office Manager
Elisa manages the sales office of Sedalia Monument Company. She is available to answer questions regarding design, granite selection and cemetery regulations in the Sedalia area.