Marianne Roepke Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

When tomorrow starts without me, don’t think we’re far apart, for every time you think of me, I’m right there in your heart. Marianne L. Roepke, 90, peacefully passed away on July 3, 2024, in Overland Park, Kansas. Marianne was born on August 10, 1933, in Manhattan, Kansas, to Clark W. Pierce, Sr. and Rogene Drury Pierce. Her ancestors were among the 1850s pioneers who emigrated from the eastern U.S. to build a life in the Flint Hills of Kansas. She grew up spending time at her family’s farm, where she loved to ride horses, fish, and play with her cousins. Marianne attended school in Manhattan and graduated from St. John’s Academy in Winfield, Kansas. On September 2, 1951, she married William J. Dickerson in Manhattan and together raised four children. Marianne was a devoted mother, creating a loving home wherever she lived. In 1959, along with three small children and a dog, she traveled by train to Southern California to join her husband. During their 10 years in California, the family was blessed with another daughter and built many lifelong friendships. When the family returned to Kansas in 1969, Marianne once again readily made new friends and soon discovered a talent for art. She loved to paint landscapes and still life with her friend, Sheila. Following a move to Topeka, Marianne began a career with the Topeka Public School District, serving in multiple positions until she retired. On August 10, 1985, she married Melvin F. Roepke. Together, they embraced an active lifestyle that included world travel, family gatherings, fishing, and a never-ending social calendar of dinner parties, card games, and regular Happy Hours with friends. For 33 years, Mari and Mel made the most of the time God gave them, living life to the fullest. Blessed with a kind heart and playful nature, Marianne was beloved by her family and friends. She never missed a birthday and made every holiday unforgettable, especially Christmas. However, she was also fiercely protective of her family. If anyone ever wronged her kids or grandkids, there would be consequences. From ex-girlfriends to NFL teams, no one messed with her family. Marianne will always be remembered for her unwavering love and loyalty to her family, her fun-loving spirit, her love of dancing at every opportunity, and her party mix. Because of her, we have always felt loved. She is our guardian angel, now and forever. Celebrating a life well-lived are her children, Jeri (Chuck) Noble, Angie (Bill) Morrison, Bill Dickerson, and Dawn (Lyndall) Yarnell; step-sons, Kevin, Scott and Kirk Roepke; grandchildren, Shane (Minden) Morrison, Eric Morrison, Jamie (Brett) Casper, Kristi Lefler, Wayne Frazier, Chris (Bre) Noble, Cara (Cody) McGuire, Bret (Sammi) Dickerson, Kailey (Darren) Searles, Taryn Dickerson and Haylee Good; great-grandchildren, Ava and Kellen Casper, Jack and Sam Noble, Bo and Brooks Morrison, Ella and Olivia Morrison, Nick and Jace Lefler, Taytum and Casen Searles; and numerous relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Clark and Rogene Pierce, her husband, Melvin Roepke, her daughter, Erin Rae Dickerson, and her brother, Clark W. Pierce, Jr. Memorial service will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Road, Topeka KS 66614, where visitation will be one-hour-prior. Graveside service will be 3:30 p.m. Tuesday in Riverside Cemetery, Waterville, Kansas. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association – Northeast Kansas, 300 SW 29th Street, Topeka, KS 66614, or Autism Society of the Heartland, P.O. Box 4455, Olathe, KS 66063. Condolences may be sent online to www.kevinbrennanfamily.com To Those I Love If I should ever leave you, whom I love To go along the Silent Way, Grieve not, nor speak of me with tears, But laugh and talk of me as if I were beside you there.

Marianne Roepke

August 10, 1933 - July 3, 2024