Marilyn Kay Charles passed away on October 2, 2022, in McPherson, Kansas. She was born October 23, 1946, at Russell, Kansas, the daughter of Emanuel and Elsie Funk. She was a retired teacher.
Marilyn was raised on a farm in a German community in rural Galatia, Kansas. She graduated from Fairview Rural Grade school in northern Barton County and Otis Rural High School in 1964. She was baptized and confirmed, choir member, Luther League member and a Sunday school teacher at the United Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Milberger, KS. She went to Wichita Business College in 1964 and obtained a Stenographic diploma which allowed her to be a secretary for 10 years at Beech and Boeing Aircraft, Paine, Webber Brokerage Co. and Barton County Community College. While working at Barton County Community College she completed an Associate's Degree in general course work. She went on to Kansas State University where she worked her way through college and received a Bachelor's Degree in Education, with an emphasis in Special Education, Mental Retardation. She completed her Education with a Master's Degree in Special Education at Fort Hays State.
On May 28, 1983, she married Richard Lynn Charles in Great Bend, Kansas. They adopted Cassie at the age of 7 in 1990. Marilyn taught for 20 years in various locations: Topeka, KS as EMH teacher; in the Interrelated Special Education Classroom at USD 428 Great Bend, KS; St. Patrick's Elementary Great Bend, KS as a 6th grade teacher; USD 431 Hoisington, KS for 16 years as a 4th grade teacher. She later went on to teach at the Adult Education Department at Barton County Community College as an ESOL instructor. She completed her teaching career by being an ESOL Director for ESSDACK/Barton Academy, Great Bend, KS.
Marilyn was a member of the Alpha Iota Honorary Business Sorority, Phi Theta Kappa Honorary Junior College Fraternity, Big Sisters and Big Brothers, Council of Exceptional Children, past president of Central Kansas Reading Association. She was an officer of Girl's Aglow Christian organization of Topeka, KS and an officer for 20 years in Women's Aglow Christian International organization of Great Bend, KS.
She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Great Bend, KS where she taught Sunday school for many years, serving on the Educational Committee, decorating committee and many other committees. Marilyn loved floral decorating, painting, and enjoyed working with plants and flowers indoors and outdoors. She thoroughly enjoyed working with and helping educate young children and adults.
She is survived by her best friend, Richard Charles of Lindsborg; her sister, Joetta Hendrickson of Port Angelas, Washington; her daughter, Cassie Koehn and husband Dustin Koehn, and grandchildren Cade, Matthew, Tyler, Kylie, Lakyn and Kinzie all of Newton; sister-in-law, Janet Funk of Milberger, and nephews Doug, Warren and Deric.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Emanuel and Elsie Funk and brother, Wayne Funk.
There will be a Graveside Service at Milberger Cemetery, Milberger, Kansas, on Tuesday October 11th at 11am followed by a lunch at the church. There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place.
Memorials may be donated to the United Emmanuel Lutheran Church of Milberger, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.