Marlys Thomas (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Marlys Elaine (Thomas) Kauffman, daughter of Orson Meredith and Betty Jean Culbertson Kauffman, was born June 26, 1952, in Manchester, Iowa. She departed this life Thursday, May 26, 2016, in her home, near Lynchburg, Missouri, at the age of sixty-three years, and eleven months.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Michael Kauffman; and a son-in-law, Rusty Bragg.
Marlys is survived by a son, Jamie Gehrke, and his wife, Suzanne, of Kansas City, Missouri; three daughters, Brenda Dennis, of Memphis, Tennessee, Becky McClure, and her husband, Paul, of Lynchburg, Missouri, and Brittany Chodes, and her husband, Matt, of Marshfield, Missouri; eight grandchildren, Dekyra Dennis, Isaac Gehrke, Case McClure, Penelope Gehrke, Kaden Hemphill, Asher Bragg, Talia Chodes, and Garret McClure; two brothers, Morrie Kauffman, and his wife, Ellen, of Lebanon, Missouri, and Monte Kauffman, of Prosper, Texas; two sisters, Mavis Kauffman, of New Hampton, Iowa, and Marlene Dial, and her husband, Doc, of Osage Beach, Missouri; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
She was born and raised in Iowa and graduated from Sumner High School. For the next several years, Marlys was a devoted homemaker and loving mother to her family. In 1976, she moved to the Lebanon area, where she helped work on the farm, and also was employed at the Butternut Bread Store. She then worked at the Lebanon and Camdenton License Bureaus for several years. She had worked as a dispatcher for WCA Waste Management Corporation for the last nine years.
Marlys made her profession of faith in Christ early in her life and was a member of Community Baptist Church near Lebanon.
She had been involved in 4-H work while living in Iowa. She was an avid bowler and had taken part in several bowling tournaments. She had played tennis and softball in her younger years, and always liked sports. She also liked working in her garden each year. Her family was very dear to her and she especially enjoyed having time with her grandchildren.
Marlys was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate her life and know that her family and friends will cherish the wonderful memories she created for them during her sixty-three years.
A memorial has been established and contributions may be left at the funeral home.
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