Stella K. Kahrs was born July 23, 1892 at Lake Creek, Pettis County, Missouri. She was the second of four children born to George H. and Amelia Monsees Demand. Her father died of typhoid fever at the age of 38. Mr. Demand’s brother, Reverend John Demand, was a member of the West German Conference in Lincoln, NE. His two sisters were both married to Methodist ministers. On November 30, 1910 she was married to Stanley C. Kahrs in Smithton, MO.
She was originally a member of the German Methodist Episcopal Church in Smithton, MO. After the German and English Churches united, she was an active member of the Smithton United Methodist Church. Despite the fact she had no children, she taught the kindergarten Sunday school class for many years. She was a faithful member of the Ladies Aid Society which later became the Women’s Society for Christian Service (WSCS) and now known as the United Methodist Women (UMW). She played the piano and sang soprano in the church choir to express her love of music.
Mr. Kahrs preceded Stella in death on April 4, 1968. She lived alone for several years after his death until she was no longer able to do so. Mr. and Mrs. Kahrs’ home was on a lot about the size of a half a city block. When it was decided she could not return to her home she set about making arrangements to sell the property. Two appraisers examined the property and each independently valued it at $18,000.00. When Mrs. Kahrs received the reports she laughed and said she would not take a penny less than $37,000.00. It was a short time after her home was sold when she passed away on Easter Sunday, April 10, 1977. In her will she had specified certain bequests. After her final expenses and the bequests were paid, anything remaining was to be donated to the United Methodist Missouri West conference to be used for scholarships for those entering pastoral or music ministry. The sum that was left was exactly $37,000.00!