Brenda Kay Marsch

Brenda Kay Marsch, 71, of Philpot, Kentucky, passed away peacefully on October 6, 2026.  She was born February 13, 1955, in Camp Gordon, Georgia, to the late Buel Felton and Lillie Margaret Powell Hanners, but always considered Hartselle, Alabama, her hometown.

 

In her younger years, Brenda rode American Saddlebreds in English-style horse shows during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Among her favorite horses was Johnny Rebel. She studied nursing at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and became a registered nurse in 1978.

Brenda married Walter Horace Marsch on December 17, 1977, and they shared more than 42 years of marriage before his death in 2020. Together, Brenda and Walter built East Side Animal Hospital in Owensboro, with Walter practicing veterinary medicine and Brenda helping establish and manage the business from its opening in 1982. She served as practice manager until shortly after his passing. Self-taught in computers, Brenda was an early adopter of technology, leading the clinic’s transition from handwritten medical records to digital records in the late 1980s. She often spent late nights at the clinic troubleshooting and repairing its computers, determined to keep everything running. She brought curiosity, resourcefulness, and an independent spirit to her work.

 

She knew her own mind and treasured the quiet of her farm in Philpot, where she built her dream house. She took pride in caring for her yard and especially enjoyed mowing it herself on her John Deere. With the Southern charm of her Alabama roots, Brenda could be warm and gracious, but she was happiest enjoying the peace, privacy, and familiar comforts of home.

 

Brenda loved the dogs who shared her life through the years: Sandy, a mixed breed; Sarah, a black Labrador; and lastly Dylan, a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier. She had a particular fondness for Wheatens, and Dylan held a special place in her heart.

 

Brenda enjoyed spending time outdoors, photography, and cooking, and was an avid reader with a particular love of murder mysteries, especially while enjoying a nice Coca-Cola over ice. Croissants for breakfast and spaghetti for dinner were among her favorites to prepare, as were the chocolate chip cookies she made for dessert using her mother’s recipe.

 

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Walter Horace Marsch.

She is survived by her sons, Michael Marsch (Amanda) and Patrick Marsch (Susan); her grandchildren, Reid and Quinn; and her sister, Nancy Weaver.

 

The family will hold a private celebration of Brenda’s life. No formal services are planned.

 

Memorial contributions in Brenda’s honor may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association to support Alzheimer’s and dementia research, care, and family support.