Marie Elizabeth (Brenner) Brack was born September 8, 1927, on her family's farm in western Rush County, Kansas, to James Leo and Ina (Fitzgerald) Brenner. She attended country school Star District #30 for five years. Due to consolidation, she attended her remaining elementary years in McCracken, Kansas, and started high school there. As a result of gas and tire rationing during WWII she rode the school bus to Alexander High School, Alexander, Kansas, graduating in 1945. She continued her education at Central Business College in Denver, Colorado. Upon graduating, she returned to Rush County and obtained a bookkeeping job at the Humburg Store in La Crosse, Kansas.
Marie and Wilbur R. Brack were married on December 15, 1947 and preceded to move to rural Timken, Kansas, in eastern Rush County in August 1948. While there, James Lee, John Frederick and Janice Marie were born. In August of 1957 the family moved to Marie's family homestead near McCracken. Jay Dean was born there in January 1966. After 58 1/2 years of marriage, Wilbur passed in June of 2006 and Marie moved to a home in La Crosse in August of that year.
Marie was an avid gardener and loved nurturing her flowers. She also loved to play cards, and she played to win. She spent many years working at the Rush County Historical Museum in La Crosse after moving to town. She was a member of Hope Lutheran Church, Rush Center, Kansas, where she quilted weekly with friends and spent endless hours sewing in her home for the church and her family. Marie also assisted with Sunday school and Vacation Bible School. She served as secretary for the Women's group of Hope Lutheran Church, the Alexander Senior Group, Alexander Alumni Association, the Brookdale Extension Unit, and the La Crosse Senior Center. She served her community in various ways, including election boards.
Marie is survived by her sister, Ruth Huffman, of Hutchinson, Kansas; children, James (Robbie) of Duncan Oklahoma, John (Shawn) of McCracken, Janice (John) Haney of Greensburg, Kansas, and Jay (Dawn) of Hutchinson; eight grandchildren, Penni Cannady, Tyler (Sarah) Brack, Taylor (Dustin) Moore, Dustin Brand, Shannon Brand all of Oklahoma, Holly (Glen) Hoyt of Wichita, Kansas, Ashley (Tyler) Schwindt of Otis, Kansas, and Jeanine (Richard) Hassiepen of Greensburg; and eighteen great grandchildren. Cash and Chandler Moore, Sylvie and Shea Brand, Zachary, Danny, Amber and Nicole Cannady, Cooper Brack and Gracie Garand, Austin, Aubrey, and Annaleise Hoyt, Zoey, Lily and Ruby Schwindt, and Brock and Sayre Hassiepen.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Wilbur; and brother, Earl Brenner.
Graveside service will be Friday, September 25, 2020, at 10:30 A.M. at the Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery, WaKeeney, Kansas, with Pastor Wayne Baldyga officiating. Interment will be in the Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery, WaKeeney, Kansas.
Social distancing is recommended. Masks are also recommended. Due to COVID-19, if you have a fever, cough, or are not feeling well, please send condolences via the on line guestbook, or mail.
In lieu of flowers or plants, the family requests memorials to Hope Lutheran Church, Rush Center, Kansas, or the Rush County Historical Museum, La Crosse, Kansas.
Condolences or remembrances may be left for the family at www.janousekfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements were by Janousek Funeral Home, 719 Pine Street, P O Box 550, La Crosse, Kansas 67548, 785/222-2517.