Marian Lea Turner

Marian Lea Turner, was born April 4, 1930 on the farmstead outside of Republic, Kansas, the daughter of Joseph and Bretta (Marshall) Evans.   Marian passed away on September 12, 2022 at Republic County Hospital, at the age of 92 years, 5 months, and 7 days.

She grew up in the Republic, KS area, attending Morehead Grade School and later graduating from Republic High School in 1948.

She married Arthur “Dwayne” Turner on March 11, 1961 at the United Methodist Church, Republic, KS.

Marian worked for the grocery store in Republic after graduation and then the Safeway Grocery Store and Annex Café in Belleville, Kansas.   She then worked for 44 years at NCK Electric (Rolling Hills) as a bookkeeper and billing clerk until her retirement in 1992.

She was the 1958 Wahoo, NE Rodeo Queen and an avid barrel racer, beginning at area rodeos and shows, scaling to a national level.  She was a successful barrel racer at national events throughout Oklahoma, Texas, Nevada, Arkansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Colorado, and Kansas.

She was a member of the American Quarter Horse Association, Kansas Quarter Horse Association, National Barrel Horse Assoc., Kansas Barrel Horse Assn., and the Old Timer’s Rodeo Assn.

Marian continued riding and winning, completing her barrel racing career at the age of 82.

She was preceded in death by her parents, first cousins, Charles Lacey and Kenneth Tuley; one step sister, and three step brothers.

Marian is survived by her husband Dwayne Turner, of Belleville, KS;  cousins, other relatives; and numerous friends that are family.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM, Friday, September 16, 2022 at the Republic United Methodist Church, Republic, Kansas with Pastor Lance Rundus, officiating with eulogy by Joel Weimer.

Interment will be at the Washington Cemetery, rural Republic, KS.

Visitation will be from 1 PM until 8 PM on Thursday at the Bachelor-Surber Funeral Home, Belleville, KS where the family will greet friends from 6 PM until 7 PM on Thursday.

Memorials are suggested to the Belleville Public Library.

Online condolences at www.bachelor-surber.com

Bachelor-Surber Funeral Home, Belleville, KS is in charge of the arrangements.