Amanda Kathleen Bobzien

Amanda Kathleen (Early) Bobzien, 51, passed away on February 14, 2026, at Boone Hospital in Columbia, Missouri, surrounded by the love of her family after a courageous battle with breast cancer.

Amanda was born on August 12, 1974, to Mike and Mary Carol Early, the first of eight children. From the very beginning, she embraced her role as a leader, protector, and friend to her siblings, a role she carried with pride and devotion throughout her life.

Amanda graduated from Kirksville High School in 1993 before earning her Bachelor’s degree in Education from Southwest Baptist University and her Master’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. She taught at St. James Catholic School in Liberty and later in the Irving, Texas, school district. Though she loved teaching, Amanda found her greatest calling in motherhood, devoting her life wholeheartedly to her children and husband.

On June 19, 2004, Amanda married the love of her life, Charles “Todd” Bobzien, in Seaside, Florida. Together, they built a home filled with love and hospitality. Amanda never met a stranger. She had a rare gift for making everyone feel welcome and known. Her home was always stocked with food and drinks, thoughtful trinkets, decorations, chapstick, bowls of candy, wrapping paper, and countless small treasures, ready to be shared at a moment’s notice. Her nieces and nephews were especially in awe of her garage, fully stocked with all sorts of snacks that she was happy to share with them. She was a giver in every sense of the word. She continued to give thank you gifts to those around her who helped in little ways, even while she was exhausted from her cancer battle. She was the most hospitable person we knew. Whether it was creating personalized bedside gift baskets for overnight guests to loving on her children’s friends who gathered in her home, taking time to truly know each one.

Amanda was fiercely loyal and a great cheerleader to her kids and many others. She poured her time and energy into her children’s activities, especially lacrosse, where she helped recruit players (especially those who had never played before), helped build new teams, and assisted the teams in many ways. At Glen Oaks Swim Club, she volunteered countless hours and organized fellow volunteers with enthusiasm and grace. In her short time back in Kirksville, Amanda quickly formed meaningful friendships, whether with a new neighbor, the person completing her Instacart order, the special friends she met during chemotherapy treatments at the George Rea Cancer Center, a person she met for just a short time or lifelong friends. Even in the midst of her own battle, she continued to encourage, uplift, and care for others.

Amanda was a member of Mary Immaculate Catholic church and held tight to her faith to help her through her cancer journey.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents Robert and Esther Killday; Patricia Marra; Mike and Karen Early; her father-in-law, Donald Bobzien; and her sisters-in-law, Angela Bobzien and Autumn Early.

Amanda is survived by her beloved husband, Todd; her cherished children, Carson, Colton, Carolina, Preston, and Grayson; her parents, Mike and Mary Carol Early; her siblings, Allison (Andrew) Farwell, Sara (Ryan) Sedlak, Andy Early, Lissy Early, Kaitlin (Zane) Taylor, Caroline (Jared) Brawner, and Molly (Brad) Groening; her mother-in-law, Joy Bobzien; and her grandfather, Tom Marra. She also leaves behind her treasured nieces and nephews: Jackson, Ellie, Briley, Bella, Lincoln, Baylor, Brady, Owen, Miles, Bennett, Lola, Finley, Charlotte, Atticus, Emmie, Annie, Sadie, Sully, Gabbie, Mary Claire, Oliver, Patrick, and Eloise.

Amanda’s life was a testament to generosity, faith, and fierce love. Though her time here was far too short, the impact she made on her family, friends, and community will live on in every life she touched.

The visitation service will be on Thursday, February 19, 2026, from 5:00pm-8:00pm, at Playle Rimer Millard Family Funeral Chapel in Kirksville. The funeral Mass will be on Friday, February 20, 2026, at 10:30am, at St. Joseph Church in Edina, Missouri, with the burial following at St. Joseph Cemetery.

Memorials may be made in Amanda’s memory to the Campaign for Kirksville Cancer Center, 175 Shinn Lane, Hannibal, MO 63401 https://www.hannibalregional.org/locations/foundation/legacyofhope