Marlene F. Glass

Marlene F. (Hunt) Glass, 86, Lawrence, passed away peacefully, Saturday, February 15, 2020 at her home. A family gathering and celebration of her life will be held at Prospect Hill Cemetery in Blue Rapids, KS at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 22, 2020.   A family and friends celebration with prayer and song will be held at Marlene’s home – 822 E. 1259 Road, Lawrence, 66047 at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 23, 2020.

Marlene was born on the family farm on May 3, 1933 near Blue Rapids, KS, the daughter of William and Wille Hunt and the youngest of 5 children: Jim, Jerry, Billy Jo and Lelah. She married Raymond C. Glass on November 4, 1951 in Blue Rapids, KS. He survives of the home. Together they had three children, David Glass (Teresa), Desoto, KS; Steven Glass (Edwina), Lawrence, KS; and Rayanne Dowell (Steven), Lawrence, KS. Her son Steven preceded her in death. She also loved beyond measure her seven grandchildren: Breana Wendel (Jason), Kala Boswell (Marshall), Fran New (Quentin), Becca Glass, Maddie Glass (Tomek), Jesse Heilman (Winston) and Sam Dowell, along with 4 great grandchildren, Owen Wendel, Augustus and Kalin Boswell and Marcus New.

As a young woman, Marlene was active in 4-H, vocal performance, and was a sought-after vocalist for weddings and funerals. She began singing and harmonizing with her mom and siblings around an old piano on their farm. She also won many 4-H ribbons for her delicious cakes and pies. Her love of singing never ended as she continued to sing in choirs throughout her life; she was a charter member of the Lawrence Civic Choir and sang in the choir at the First Presbyterian Church for 45 years.

Marlene was the Welcome Wagon hostess for many years before starting her own greeting service, Lawrence Welcome, which she co-owned and operated with her daughter, Rayanne, welcoming thousands of families to the Lawrence community. She took immense pride in her work. She was a woman of many talents beyond her baking; she loved to sew, crochet, cross stitch, can, play piano, garden, and play bridge. She was an avid walker, bowler and reader of romantic novels and mysteries. She raised beautiful peonies in her yard and put up quarts of frozen applesauce and cherries every year. She was also a recovered alcoholic and dedicated to helping others struggling with addiction through Alcoholics Anonymous for over 35 years. She loved being near the water and she and Ray enjoyed taking their grandchildren tubing. It wasn’t uncommon for her to tube along with them! She loved yearly fishing trips with her favorite brother Jerry and favorite sister-in-law Helen.

She was always busy with her hands, doing the many things that brought her joy, until December 2010 when she had a massive stroke that brought emotional & physical pain and immense daily challenges for the rest of her life. Her devoted husband, Ray never wavered in his care and commitment, and was always by her side. After her stroke she enjoyed birdwatching from her favorite spot at the kitchen table – (especially her beloved cardinals!), seeing her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, listening to her favorite music, getting the best hugs from her only grandson, Sam, taking great-grandson Owen for rides on her power wheelchair, feeding Daisy the golden retriever under the table, and singing old favorites with her granddaughter, Jesse, on the guitar. Although she will be missed, it is her family’s great hope that she is now able to enjoy all the things she loved. Our heartfelt gratitude to the Visiting Nurses Association who helped Marlene during her final days and especially to Deidre who lovingly helped with her care for several years.