Marsha Crook passed away peacefully on June 4, 2022, after a courageous
battle with Alzheimer’s disease at the age of 68. She was born on
September 30, 1953, in Colby, KS to Lyle and Margaret Gillispie. She
married Jack Crook on February 15, 1976, and they went on to have two
sons, Jeff and Jeret.
With a passion for teaching, Marsha graduated from Colby High School and
then earned her Bachelor’s of Education from Fort Hays State University
in 1976. Marsha taught with a servant’s heart and loved setting her
young students up for future success. Her career spanned three decades
at four elementary schools: St Dominic Catholic School, Plymell, Jennie
Wilson, and Holcomb where the families she served described her as
devoted, patient, and loving. Her legacy of love lives on in the hearts
of hundreds of students.
Family and close friends will remember Marsha’s joyful spirit and her
love of music and dancing. Never will they hear a Journey song again
without thinking of her. When she wasn’t teaching, you could likely find
her cheering for KU athletics, selling candles, swimming in her pool,
and caring for her beloved pets.
But, her family was her ultimate pride and joy. As a devoted mom, she
loved supporting her boys in their childhood passion of sprint car
racing. She championed their strengths and instilled some of her best
traits of patience and empathy in them. Always a great listener, Marsha
provided a safe space as a friend and confidant. When her boys had
children of their own, Marsha became the ultimate grandma by providing a
fun-filled second home for her grandchildren and taking frequent trips
to Dallas to spoil the youngest of her grandchildren.
She is survived by her husband Jack Crook, Jeff and Natalie Crook (Jaden
and Jenna), Jeret and Laura Crook (Caroline, Henry, and Patrick), her
siblings Sherri Hiebert, Jodie Ackerman, Randy Gillispie, Richard
Gillispie.
Funeral Service will be at 10:30 AM Wednesday at Turning Point Church Of
The Nazarene with Rev Nathan Haeck officiating. Burial will be in
Valley View Cemetery in Garden City. Memorials are suggested to Finney
County Humane Society in care of Garnand Funeral Home. Condolences may
be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com.