Marilyn Ruth Dowse

Marilyn Ruth Dowse, 79, of Topeka, passed away Wednesday, March 22, 2023.

She was born on March 13, 1944, in Garden City, Kansas, the daughter of Harold and Mildred (Derby) Chrispens. She graduated from Sublette High School in 1962 and attended Bethany Nazarene College in Oklahoma.

Marilyn was dedicated to helping the National Guard Association of Kansas - especially their insurance program with her husband Butch. She was widely hailed among Kansas Guard members as "Molly Pitcher."

Marilyn was a member of the Auxiliary for the Dodge City VFW and the American Legion Post #1 in Topeka. She was an active member of the Quail Creek 3 Homeowner's Association.

Marilyn married Malen Earl "Butch" Dowse on August 14, 1964 at the Nazarene Church in Sublette, Kansas. He survives, along with their son Jason Wade Dowse (Susan) of Kansas City, Kansas; grandsons, Michael Scott Dowse and Nicholas Matthew (Chris Diane) Dameron. She was preceded in death by her parents and eldest son Scott in 1975.

Marilyn enjoyed arranging flowers, gardening, camping, traveling, and being with her family and friends.

Cremation has taken place. A memorial ceremony will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 30th at the Dove Cremations and Funerals Southwest Chapel, 3700 SW Wanamaker Road in Topeka. The family will receive friends for an hour before the service at the Southwest Chapel. Interment will be at Copeland Cemetery in Copeland, Kansas at a future date. Memorial contributions may be made to VFW Post 1714, 907 N 13th Avenue, Dodge City, KS 67801 and to the Copeland Cemetery, 200 Main Street, Copeland, KS 67837.

Dove Cremations and Funerals Southwest Chapel is assisting the family.

Marilyn's service will be livestreamed at the scheduled service time. Click Here to view the service.

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