Obituary

Marjorie Lee Gfeller, 83, died on Sept. 7, 2014, at the Newton Medical Center in Newton.

She was born on Sept. 4, 1931, in rural Burns, to Madeline (Abplanalp) and Guy R. Parsons. On June 10, 1951, she married her husband of 63 years, Don R. Gfeller in Burns.  Marjorie was very active and involved in the Ebenezer United Methodist Church since she joined in 1951. She had been teaching Sunday school, right up until the Lord called her home. There were many Christmas Eve church programs that Marjorie directed and was involved with. She also sang in the choir during her earlier years. The Helping Hands Club and the Women's Society of Christian Service (WSCS) were two more groups that Marjorie dedicated her time to. She was also involved in a Wednesday night neighborhood Bible study, for over 15 consecutive years.  Family was important to Marjorie. She stayed involved with her five children's activities, including the local 4H club, and the Parson family third Saturday "eat-out" for over 40 years.

Don and Marjorie raised their family on a farm in rural Burns, and recently relocated to Newton. Together, they gardened and were active with the Farmer's Market in El Dorado, for over 25 years. Marjorie was well known for her excellent pies and sticky buns. It was these great talents and skills that she shared with her children and grandchildren, leaving wonderful memories with her family.  For some time Marjorie drove a school bus for Burns students and later worked at Miller Produce in Burns. She had also worked at Kinder and Steven Springs, Newton, and Benton's Greenhouse, North Newton.

Survivors include her loving husband of 63 years, Don Gfeller, Newton; four daughters, Lynnetta and Robert Miller, Dewey, Oklahoma, Donna and Gary Rodvelt, Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, Carol and Blaine Ammeter, Ellinwood, and Laura Moore, Newton; one son, Arlen and Vonnie Gfeller, Peabody; 11 grandchildren, Melanie and John Dick, Bartlesville, Oklahoma, Jaime and Dax McCauley, Bartlesville, Oklahoma, Chad Miller, Norman, Oklahoma, Lori and Nick Sides, Palmyra, Pennsylvania, Shari and Daniel Hardwick, Huntington, West Virginia, BJ Ammater, Ellinwood, and Todd Ammeter, Ellinwood, Ali Moore, Wichita, AJ and Cisca Moore, Newton, Jay and Rachel Gfeller, Peabody, and Mike and Tarina Gfeller, Newton; 11 great-grandchildren, Kyle Miller, Bartlesville, Oklahoma, Lenni and Perri McCauley, Bartlesville, Oklahoma, Ava Sides, Palmyra, Pennsylvania, Abigail and Caden Gfeller, Peabody, Brooke Gfeller, Newton, Anthony and Brianna Morales and Tasha Peterson and Jordan Marler, all of Newton; sister, Nettie Belle and Duane Graham, Hesston; brothers-in-law, Hugh and Judy Long, Newton, Harold Gfeller, El Dorado, and Richard Gfeller, Trenton, South Carolina; sister-in-law, Cleta Parsons, Wichita; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.  Preceding Marjorie's death were her parents; a brother, Guy Parsons; sisters, Ruth and Cecil Wright and Mary Long; and sisters-in-law, Jean Gfeller and Bonnie Gfeller.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, at Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, from 1 to 8 p.m., with the family greeting from 6 to 8 p.m.  Funeral services will be held on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2014, at the Ebenezer United Methodist Church, at 2 p.m. in Burns. Burial will be at the Ebenezer Church Cemetery, followed by refreshments and fellowship at the Burns Community Center. Memorials can be made to the Ebenezer United Methodist Church or Burns Alumni Association, in care of the funeral home at 120 E. Broadway, Newton, KS 67114.