Marjory Gillum Wann

Marjory Ellen Gillum Wann of Salina Kansas passed away on Friday, September 13th 2013 at Hospice of Salina after a brief fight with cancer. She was born October 15th, 1934 at Shadelawn Farm in Gypsum Kansas, the daughter of the late A. Glea and Jayne Louise (Cole) Gillum. She is preceded in death by her husband Lt. Col. Bob J. Wann. Marge attended rural and town schools in the Gypsum area and, upon graduation, attended Asbury School of Nursing and entered the working world, caring for others. Later in life she returned to Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina, KS and obtained her Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in Education. She was also a licensed Nursing Home Administrator. While visiting family in Missouri in the summer of 1950, she met the love of her life, Bob Wann. They were married in January of 1956 in Lake Charles, Louisiana, as Bob was starting his career as an Air Force pilot. Their first son, Michael Glea Wann died shortly after his birth in 1958. A daughter, Virginia L (Ginny) Wann of Sugar Land, Texas, and son Timothy J Wann, his wife Tammie and grandson Stephen, of Texarkana, Texas, survive her. Beloved niece, Sue Liggett of Prescott, Arizona, and nephew Fred Wann of Peoria, Arizona, also survive Marge. Her passion was helping others. From her career to her leisure activities, she was always the first one to help when someone needed something. She held various nursing jobs across the US as she moved from state to state while Bob pursued his Air Force career, volunteered with Red Cross, taught classes on Hawaiian Quilting, and was also active in the Officers Wives Club (OWC) at all the bases where they were stationed. In August of 1972, 20 years after she left Kansas, she returned when they “retired” from the military life. Marge settled in to become a farm wife, was active in 4-H as a local and county wide leader, EHU, local churches, and community choir. She & Bob raised and showed Paso Fino horses from Latin America and Australian Cattle Dogs as a “hobby”. She held various positions at the hospital, and as an industrial nurse, RN consultant to a nursing home and as a medical manager/rehabilitation consultant. She was always on the move. In 2003, she moved off the farm and into Salina where she kept up an active lifestyle in the community. She was a member of the Downtown Lions Club, volunteered 2 days a week at the Veterans Administration (VA), and volunteered with R.S.V.P. Marge was a loving, caring and compassionate wife, mother, daughter and friend. She made friends wherever she went and kept up with them thru the years and miles as people traveled and moved. She was quick with a smile and hug, always willing to listen when you needed to talk. She will be missed by all who knew her. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday at Carlson-Geisendorf Funeral Home. Family will greet friends from 6-8. A funeral service will be held at Carlson-Geisendorf Funeral Home, Salina Kansas at 10:00am on Wednesday, September 18th, 2013. Interment will follow at Gypsum City Cemetery, Gypsum, Kansas. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Salina, 730 Holly Lane, Salina Kansas, 67401, or to the Rebecca A. Morrison House, 513 S. 8th, Salina Kansas, 67401.