Marion Renner

Marion Renner, retired teacher, full time mother and eternal hell raiser checked out on September 7th, 2020. She was born at home in Zurich, Kansas on July 12, 1933 and often told folks she was “homemade." From this humble beginning in the farmlands of Northwest Kansas she went on to far greater things. After spending four years at K State University they finally let her out with an arts degree so she could go to work as a fashion illustrator for JC Penney’s in Wichita. She was married long enough to have 2 of the most amazing children ever conceived (by her account). Her marriage ended but not her determination. She raised her kids alone in the 60s when few women dared to. She then went back to school at Fort Hays University to get a Masters Degree in Teaching so she could have the same schedule as her kids (and avoid daycare bills).

Marion continued to teach kindergarten in the Haysville School system for the next 30+ years, eventually raising not just her kids but thousands of others. She taught so long that she had children from the kids she had already taught. Those kids got to learn what their parents were like as kids. She loved them all, nonetheless, the day she retired was perhaps one of the happiest days of her life.

Retirement just didn’t work out for her though; she was busier than ever. With her kids out of the house and married, Marion took off. She ended up going all over the world and exploring the things we only read about. She kissed the blarney stone, scaled the Eiffel tower and walked the Great Wall of China. She made friends wherever she went and often hosted international visitors in her Kansas home.

She eventually returned to Haysville to become a part of the Haysville Public Library board and help build a new building. She continued working at her church, the Haysville United Methodist,as president of the Women’s group and led fundraisers for underserved people in her community. She was a true force of nature and if she got involved in your group you could count on things getting done right. All this energy got her many accolades and awards including Haysville Citizen of the Year and the Friends of Kansas Libraries Volunteer of the Year.

Of course, Marion was the matriarch of an amazingly talented family. She is survived by her wonderful son, Richard Renner of Lawrence, Ks, her beautiful daughter Julie Brown of Harrisonville, Mo, 5 stupendous grandkids, and 1 awesome great-grandchild and a longtime companion, cook and TV aficionado, George Baird. All of which have artistic talents and interests that have been encouraged and supported by Marion’s life.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Della and Charles Talley, and is no doubt in a grand reunion with them now.

Marion’s life was marked with determination, creative abilities, nurturing, and care for the community. From the moment she was born to the moment she passed away she never lost that zest for life that we all crave. We will miss her and all she brought to the world.

To honor her life and her commitment to reading, teaching, community, and hellraising, please make a donation to the Haysville Public Library by going to  https://www.haysvillecommunitylibrary.org. Memorial services will be at Haysville United Methodist Church on Sept 26th at 11 am. It will also be available on the church’s Facebook page as a live stream. Get there early.