Marlene June Harvey Wilmot, former resident of Norton, Greeley, and Elkhart, died at Brookdale Memory Care in Overland Park, Kansas, on September 13.
Marlene was born on November 10, 1933, in McCook, Nebraska, the only child of Freda Voigt Harvey and Lloyd John (LJ) Harvey. She graduated with the class of 1951 at Norton Community High School. On August 5, 1952, she married Bill Wilmot at the Norton United Methodist Church. They were blessed with two children, David Harvey and Janell Renea. David has a son, William Alexander Wilmot. Janell married Brad Ambrosier, and they have a daughter, Katherine Emily. Marlene was doing well in 2019 and was able to attend Katie's wedding in Boulder, Colorado, when she married Tyler Groves. Katie and Tyler have a daughter named after Marlene and Lloyd: Linden June (LJ) Groves.
Unlike many of her female peers of her time, Marlene was a working wife and mother. While Bill was in the Navy, she worked with the Credit Bureau and Chamber of Commerce of Newport, Rhode Island, and the Credit Bureau of Greater Boston, Massachusetts. When Bill's four years in the Navy were over, they returned to Norton where Marlene worked for ASCS and then Federal Crop Insurance while Bill worked in the same building for SCS. Marlene became the first Woman District Director in the nation. She was then transferred to Kansas City. She traveled to and from Washington DC. She spoke and trained others and was asked to be on a special committee of 5 chosen from across the nation.
After presenting to Con-Agra for FCIC in Greeley, Colorado, they offered her a job too good to refuse. They moved to Colorado and after a few years, ended up in private industry, beginning a business with another FCIC employee and close family friend. Bill transferred to SCS in Fort Morgan, Colorado, during those years.
Upon retirement, Marlene wrote three books: Bluff to Bluff; Bluff to Bluff, too; and Hardship Trail. Marlene, Bill, and Lloyd (who lived with them in Greeley) traveled all over in their motorhome selling the books and speaking about the Republican Valley flood, which the books are based on.
After Bill died from mesothelioma in 2000, Marlene and Lloyd remained in Greeley. Lloyd lived to be 106 with Marlene's care. When Lloyd passed away in 2011, Marlene lived part of the year in an apartment in Elkhart, Kansas. She traveled with Susie Maddy on cross-country adventures and a cruise. She also went on a cruise with Janell and Katie. In later years, Janell and Marlene would have "Moms' Weekends" and travel to visit Katie at K-State, KU, and then in Kansas City. They also enjoyed overnight shopping trips to Amarillo, Texas, and, in later years, big trips were outings to McDonald’s for a filet-o-fish sandwich in Guymon, Liberal, or Hugoton. At the beginning of the pandemic, Marlene sold her Greeley house and permanently moved to Elkhart where her doctors were located, and Janell could give her full-time care.
As Marlene's dementia progressed, a retired CNA helped when Janell was out of town. Hazel Sanchez was not just a caregiver; she became family. In April, Marlene was admitted to Morton County Hospital and was there for a month. It became apparent that she was no longer going to be able to stay at home. On May 1, she traveled with Janell, Hazel, and family friend Rosa to Overland Park, not far from Katie's home in Shawnee.
The Clare Bridge Program at Brookdale in Overland Park, Kansas, focuses on sustaining feelings of belonging and purpose while seeking to preserve a sense of self. The Clare Bridge concept has evolved by continually embracing current research and innovations in the delivery of quality dementia care. The beautiful facility is designed like a small community. Marlene made friends and enjoyed outings to restaurants and ice cream places, as well as to see the sights around Kansas City. The staff adored her, and she told them often how much she loved them and how grateful she was for all they did to take care of her. Because she was near Katie, Marlene was able to watch her great-granddaughter learn to crawl, walk, and “talk”. LJ thought Brookdale was a wonderful place to show off her skills during each visit.
Survivors include her children, David Wilmot (Susan) of Bryant, Arkansas, and Janell Ambrosier (Bradley) of Elkhart, Kansas; Grandchildren Alex Wilmot of Brattleboro, Vermont, and Katie Groves (Tyler) of Shawnee, Kansas; and great-granddaughter Linden June Groves.
A Celebration of Life will be held from 1-2:00 pm Friday, September 20, 2024 at the funeral home. A Graveside Service will follow in the Norton Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions may be made to the Norton Public Library and sent in care of Plumer-Gobber Funeral Home, 215 W. Main St., Norton, KS 67654. Condolences may be left at www.plumergobber.com