diff --git a/src/app/api/devops/standup/route.ts b/src/app/api/devops/standup/route.ts
index 9fd9d6f..fca3438 100644
--- a/src/app/api/devops/standup/route.ts
+++ b/src/app/api/devops/standup/route.ts
@@ -240,13 +240,14 @@ export async function GET(request: NextRequest) {
 
     const displayColumnNames = new Set(displayColumns.map((c) => c.name));
 
-    // Map non-display states to the fallback column for their category
+    // Map non-display states to the fallback column for their category.
+    // 'Removed' is omitted because getStandupData filters those out before
+    // we get here (issue #277).
     const categoryFallback: Record<string, string> = {
       Proposed: 'New',
       InProgress: 'Active',
       Resolved: 'Resolved',
       Completed: 'Closed',
-      Removed: 'Closed',
     };
 
     // Resolve any DevOps state to one of the 6 display columns
diff --git a/src/lib/devops.ts b/src/lib/devops.ts
index 9700ebe..a464e26 100644
--- a/src/lib/devops.ts
+++ b/src/lib/devops.ts
@@ -2448,11 +2448,14 @@ export class AzureDevOpsService {
     nextDay.setDate(nextDay.getDate() + 1);
     const nextDayStr = nextDay.toISOString().split('T')[0];
 
-    // Build state lists dynamically from categories
+    // Build state lists dynamically from categories.
+    // 'Removed' states are intentionally excluded — removed work items are
+    // hidden from the Kanban board (issue #277).
     const doneStates: string[] = [];
     const activeStates: string[] = [];
     for (const [state, category] of Object.entries(stateCategories)) {
-      if (category === 'Resolved' || category === 'Completed' || category === 'Removed') {
+      if (category === 'Removed') continue;
+      if (category === 'Resolved' || category === 'Completed') {
         doneStates.push(state);
       } else {
         activeStates.push(state);