Marilyn Kay Vickery, 78, of Topeka, Kansas, formerly of Hiawatha, Kansas, passed unexpectedly due to a medical issue in the early morning of September 11, 2024. She was surrounded by her loving, devoted husband, and her four daughters and only son.
Marilyn was born September 28, 1945 in Hiawatha, Kansas to Ivan and Clara Hoar of Hiawatha, Kansas. Marilyn was a proud graduate of Hiawatha High School, Class of 1963. She was beloved by all and was nominated for Sweetheart Princess in high school. She was very engaged with the school reunions over the years. Marilyn also attended Highland Junior College in the fall of 1963, where she studied business.
While at Highland Junior College she met the love of her life, Roger Allen Vickery. They were married on June 5, 1965 in Hiawatha, Kansas. Shortly after, they moved to Topeka, Kansas, dodging the ominous tornado of 1966 that took their home and car. Marilyn and Roger set their roots in Topeka just the same, while Roger earned his Bachelor’s degree from Washburn University and later gained his Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist degree at P.A. School of Anesthesia.
Marilyn was all about family and found her passion serving her husband and children through family celebrations, home-baked favorites, and her warm and thoughtfully decorated home and colorful outdoor gardens. Marilyn enhanced her love of nature by arranging flowers in Porterfield’s Flower and Gift Studio and Dillon’s Flower Shop, all while raising their children together with Roger. When her kids were older, she found joy working with brides and families at Livingston’s Bridal.
In 1971, Marilyn and Roger moved to southeast Topeka and later built their dream home. Their home has become a beloved place for their many family celebrations, special cats (who often found her), pool parties and gatherings.
Marilyn was especially interested in her family’s Norwegian roots and she spent time gathering and documenting precious stories and unforgettable family legacy recipes. She strove to be present, positive and gracious to neighbors and to model her faith to everyone's lives she touched.
Marilyn was immersed in the lives of her three sisters and mother, and together they sought to reunite with her eldest daughter, Lori Ann Preston in 1986, uniting all of Marilyn’s five children. Her greatest hope was to see them grow, develop and deepen relationships with their families, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Undoubtedly, her most treasured joy was her eleven grandchildren and two great- grandchildren who fondly call her "Grammy.”
Marilyn was a model example of strength, tenacity and humility with unwavering faith in God and an exceedingly generous heart. She would bring lightheartedness with her warm hugs, natural smile and quick wit. She was the ultimate party planner and made every event and celebration special. She was a kind, loving, loyal wife, mother, sister, daughter, niece, grandmother and friend. She was filled with style, grace, love and unending service to her family, lifelong friends and her community.
Marilyn is survived by her husband of fifty-nine years, Roger Vickery; children, Lori Preston of Boulder, Colorado, Michelle Graff and her husband Stephen Graff of Topeka, Kansas, Melissa Rangel and her husband Marty Rangel of Lawrence, Kansas, daughter, Mandy Vickery of Topeka, Kansas, and son Ryan Vickery and his wife Lindsey (George) Vickery of Fairway, Kansas; grandchildren, Jordan , Noah, Riley and Emma Graff; Casey, Jeremy and Jayden Rangel; Emersyn, Clara and Carter Vickery, and Alexander Preston; great-grandchildren, Brexley and Colt; sister, Sandi Muhonen of Arizona, favorite 99-year-old aunt, June Cox of Belleville, Illinois, and many dearly loved cousins, nieces, and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Ivan and Clara Hoar, her sister Janice Busey, brother-in-law, Rodney Busey, sister, Jeanette Hugelman and niece, Traci DuPont.
A celebration of Marilyn’s life will be at Highland Heights Christian Church in Tecumseh, Kansas, on September 20, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. with a luncheon immediately following. The family welcomes you to also attend a graveside service at Hiawatha Cemetery, in Hiawatha, Kansas, on September 20, 2024 at 3:30p.m.
Her arrangements were handled through Highlands Heights Christian Church in Topeka, Kansas and Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, Hiawatha, Kansas.
