Marjorie Frances Neely's Obituary
Marjorie Frances Kepley Neely left for her heavenly home on August 14, 2017. She was born November 14, 1919, at the home of her parents, Aaron and Anna Hansen Kepley, rural Chanute.
She was the oldest of 5 daughters and 2 sons. She worked on the family farm from a young age, milking cows, and driving a team of horses to do field work until she was a teenager and her brother was old enough to do farm work. She drove from a single hitch to a four horse team named Dick, Queen, Barney, and Lady. Some of the horse drawn equipment that she used included a buckrake, a cultivator, mower, wagon, harrow, caffer corn cutter, grain grinder, hayrake, and more.
Marjorie graduated 8th grade from Summit Hill School in 1933 and received first place in the Neosho County Achievement testing for 8th grade students. She received a riding horse and saddle from her dad for her achievements.
Marjorie graduated from Chanute High School, and then graduated from Central Business College in Kansas City. She then attended Chanute Junior College, while working as the personal secretary to the Bank of Commerce President, Bill Bodley. When World War II began, families were urged to send a son to enlist. As the oldest child, Marjorie joined the Marines, and worked as an air traffic control officer for flight training of pilots using the new F4U Cosair war planes.
Marge married William Glen Neely on August 21, 1946. They attended Kansas State University and then returned to the farm. Marge was a dedicated wife, mother, gardener, and 4-H leader for six children. She taught many children to knit. She worked as Commodity procurer for the Hillcrest School Lunch Program. She refinished furniture and sold eggs.
In 1967, Marge returned to college, driving daily to Pittsburg State College to get a degree in Elementary Education. She taught third grade in Thayer for many years, while getting a Master’s Degree in Special Education. She then taught Title I Special Ed for Thayer, Galesburg, and Erie Consolidated schools, retiring at age 70. She has sponsored several scholarships at the Neosho County Community College, and one at Kansas State University.
After retirement, Marge and Glen traveled yearly to Glen’s WW II Naval Flight Squadron Reunions that were held in venues all over the United States. They continued to farm, and Marge became a Master Gardener at the age of 88. She continued to work with The Altar Society at St. Patricks Catholic Church and with Elk Creek Famerettes and Leamona Extension units. She has been a member of FCE for 69 years. Marge has been a strong supporter of the Walk Kansas Extension Program. She is well-known for her passions for educating, promoting healthy living, exercise, eating natural foods, growing and using herbs, for growing native grasses and wildflowers, and for faith and love of family. She earned the nickname Dr. Marge for her knowledge of natural medicine. She has a personal goal of living her life for the betterment of others.
She is survived by 5 childrren, Mary and Wayne Dunn, Humboldt, Jim and Colleen Neely, Chanute, Anne and Ed Sullivan, Fairfax, Virginia, Jane and Steve Hanson, Jesup, Iowa, and Mark and Dorothy Neely, Chanute; fifteen grandchildren, Aaron Dunn, Sarah Griesel, Laura Henderson, Amber Neely, Wendy Phelps, Jay Neely, Britt Neely, Sean Sullivan, Paul Sullivan, Eric Hanson, Beau Hanson, Becky Green, Allyson Fasanella, Clem Neely, and Glendolyn Neely; 18 great-grandchildren; sister, Jane (Gene) Furnish of Overland Park, and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends of all ages.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 61 years, Glen; son, Bob; grandson, Bryan Dunn; two brothers, Bill and Bob Kepley; three sisters, Pauline Warner, Joan Miller of Independence, and a baby sister that died at birth; and a good friend, Willo Mae Creepingbear of Oklahoma, OK, an Indian Herbal Medicine Specialist.
Rosary will be recited on Friday, August 18, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Chanute, KS. Visitation will follow immediately in the St. Patrick’s Parish Hall. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, August 19, 2017 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery. Online condolences may be left at: www.countrysidefh.com. Memorials have been suggested to the 4-H and Extension Program, St. Patrick’s Catholic School, St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, St. Paul Osage Mission Museum, Chanute Historical Society, or Chanute Art Gallery and may be left with or mailed to the funeral home. Arrangements have been entrusted to: Countryside Funeral Home 101 N. Highland, Chanute, KS 66720.
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