Marilyn K. Griest

Written By: Obituary Courtesy of Nutter's Mortuary Published Date: 11-04-2024

Marilyn Kay Griest. Image courtesy Nutter's Mortuary and Cremation Services

Marilyn Kay Griest, age 87, passed away Wednesday October 30, 2024 at the MCHHS Resident Care Center, Beloit, KS. Marilyn was born October 18, 1937 in Jewell Co Kansas to Victor and Mary (Owen) Tullar. She grew up south of Jewell on the family farm.

Marilyn attended grade school at Star Country School and graduated from Jewell High School in 1955. She then attended and graduated from Fort Hays State University with a teaching degree. She taught many different subjects in her life and taught at Hays, Ks; Jessieville, Arkansas, and Beloit, Ks. After she retired from teaching she was a substitute teacher at Beloit for a few years.

She was married to Vernon Glenn Mauch on November 18, 1977 in Hays, Ks. They then moved to Arkansas. Glenn passed away on June 30, 1990 after a lengthy illness where Marilyn cared for him.

Marilyn then married Reed Griest on April 21, 1994 in Jewell, Ks. They lived in Glasco on Reed’s farmstead before moving to the Tullar farmstead in 1997 south of Jewell. Marilyn and Reed loved living on the farm and she was a big help to Reed with his Abraham Lincoln collection. They enjoyed a simple, quiet life going to auctions and being with family. Reed passed away in 2015 after a lengthy illness, where again Marilyn was a wonderful caregiver to Reed. After Reed’s death Marilyn sold the farm and moved into Jewell. She enjoyed living in her little house in town and loved feeding the stray cats. In June of 2023 she moved into RCC in Beloit, Kansas and loved the staff that cared for her and even gave many of them cute nicknames. The staff there loved her quick wit, charm and even her stubbornness.

Marilyn was a member of the Methodist Church, Chamber of Commerce, Jewell Library Board, and the Mankato and Beloit Bridge Clubs.

Marilyn is survived by her step-children Steve (Beth) Mauch of Limerick, PA; Tammy (Rick) Shaw of Selden, Kansas; Stacy (Bob) Prater of Assaria, Kansas and DeeDee Becker of Salina, Kansas, Sister Myrth (Graham) McDonald of Georgetown, Texas, Sister-in-law Sharon Tullar, Many nieces, nephews, step grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Besides her parents and husbands, Marilyn was preceded in death by her brother, Vaughn Tullar; sister, Shirley Simmelink; brother-in-law Don Simmelink and step-son Don Griest.

Visitation will be Sunday November 3, 2024 from 12:00pm - 4:00pm at Kleppinger Funeral Home, Jewell, KS.

Funeral Services will be Monday November 4, 2024 at 11:00am at the Jewell Trinity Methodist Church, Jewell, KS with Pastor Keith Shank officiating.

Burial will follow at Wallace Cemetery, Jewell, KS.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the MCHHS Resident Care Center or to the Jewell Trinity Methodist Church in c/o Kleppinger Funeral Home.

For online condolences, please visit kleppingerfuneralhome.com.

CONCORDIA WEATHER