Marjorie "Marge" Helen (Howe) Waring

Obituary of Marjorie  Waring

            Marjorie Helen “Marge” Waring, was born September 14, 1929 to Helen (Scott) Howe and Loren Wallace Howe in Belleville, Kansas and passed away on July 28, 2024 at the Park Villa Nursing Home, Clyde, Kansas at the age of 94.

            Marge was baptized in the First Methodist Church, attended Belleville schools, graduating from BHS in 1947.     She graduated from Christian College now Columbia College in Columbia, MO in 1949, and from Kansas State College in 1951 where she was a member of Alpha Xi Delta Sorority.  One of Marge’s interests was horseback riding, and her summer job during her college years was as a riding instructor at San Luis Ranch in Colorado Springs.

           She married Eugene Waring on November 26, 1961 at the Methodist Church in Belleville, and soon after, they bought their home on 23rd Street where they lived their entire married life and raised their children, Suzi, Scott, and David.   Marge and Gene shared many interests and worked together in the antiques and auction business until the time of Gene’s sudden death in 2005.

            Marge started playing the organ and accompanying the choir at the Methodist Church part-time basis in 1958 and continued as organist until her death, playing for hundreds of funerals and weddings, entertaining at the local Care Homes and for community events.  In 1971, she organized the church’s first English handbell choir and directed it for 9 years, as well as organizing a children’s handbell choir.   For years, the annual Carols and Candles Christmas program was under her direction.   When Marge was 81 years of age and wishing to cut back and play only one Sunday a month, her church honored her with a reception.

            She was an active member of the Shakespeare Club, serving as president twice.   Marge was a member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood for 58 years, initiated in 1966.  She held numerous offices, organized many activities and produced musical performances for both local chapter functions, state P.E.O. conventions, and served as chapter president twice   She also served on the early Library Board and was an organizer of the Cultural Arts Center.   For many years she was the organist and accompanist for the first Kansas Jr. Miss Pageants.

            Marge was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Gene Waring in 2005;  and her brother, LeWallace Scott Howe; 

            She will forever be remembered by her children, Suzanne and husband Bart Smith of Bozeman, Montana,  Scott and wife Ruth E. Waring of Phoenix, AZ, and David and wife Ruth Ann Waring of Belleville, Kansas; granddaughters, Neely Waring of Indianapolis, IN,  Tia Oaks of Brooklyn, NY,  Kia (Karsten) Miller of Scribner, NE; and great granddaughter, Luanna Miller, other relatives, and many friends.   

            Celebration of Life Services will be held at 10:30 AM, Tuesday, August 6, 2024 at the First United Methodist Church with Pastor Amos McCarthy, officiating.

            Private family inurnment will be later at the Belleville Cemetery, Belleville, KS.

            Friends may call at Bachelor-Surber Funeral Home, Belleville, KS from 1 PM until 8 PM on Monday, August 5, 2024 where the family will greet friends from 6 PM until 7 PM on Monday.

            Memorials are suggested to the Buffalo Actor’s Guild (BAG),  the Republic County High School Music Department, or the Methodist Church Fair Foodstand.

            Online condolences at www.bachelor-surber.com

            Bachelor-Surber Funeral Home, 1322 19th Street, Belleville, KS is assisting the family with the arrangements.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Marjorie "Marge" Helen (Howe) Waring, please visit our floral store.