Marjorie Grieves

Marjorie Sophie Rose Grieves, 94, passed away Tuesday, May 11, 2021. Marge was born July 4, 1926, in Netawaka, Kansas, to John E. Zwonitzer and Bertha Brunner Zwonitzer. Marge graduated from Netawaka High School in 1944. She went on to graduate from Clark’s Secretarial School in Topeka, KS. She began her career at Santa Fe Railroad where she worked in the Timekeeping and Freight Claims Departments. She went on to work at C.R. Tantillo Insurance Agency and then went back to the Santa Fe Railroad in the General Claims Department where she retired in 1988 with a total of 20 years of service. After a courtship that began on a baseball field, she married the love of her life, Alex Grieves, June 14, 1952, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Topeka. They had two sons, Kevin Dean and Brad Alexander. She was a member of Hope Lutheran Church and Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, both in Topeka. After retirement, they spent many winters as “snowbirds” in Arizona and southern Texas. Marge loved to dance and spent many hours on the dance floor in Alex’s arms. Their steps were not only in sync but their outfits were as well. She played dominoes like a pro for many years and would give Alex a big smile when she was able to beat him. Marge had a big green thumb with plants and flowers and was known to polish plant leaves with a cotton ball and some milk back in the day. She crocheted afghans for her grandchildren, made pies in church clothes, and learned to play golf in retirement to spend time with Alex on the golf course. She would say that her biggest and best accomplishment in life was her family. She dearly loved her boys and then they grew up, got married and gave her grandchildren. Those grandbabies got her undivided attention and her boys quickly fell into second place. When the grandchildren grew up, she still loved them but the great grandbabies that came along won her heart (grandkids fell to second place and her sons were left with the third place consolation prize). She gladly went from Mom, to Grandma and Maga, to GG and loved all those titles. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Alex, sister, Melvina Harris, and brothers, Melvin and Jack Zwonitzer. Marge is survived by her sons, Kevin (Jane) and Brad (Pam) of Auburn, KS; five grandchildren, Kyle (Megan) Grieves of Kathleen, GA, Ryan (Kelli) Grieves of St. George, KS, Kimberly Grieves (Shaun McLean) of Frisco, TX, Cole (Alex) Grieves of Manhattan, KS, and Rachel Grieves of Topeka, KS; and five great grandsons, Eli, Joel, Leo, Luke and Laine Grieves. Visitation will be Sunday, June 6th from 5-7pm at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. A dual Celebration of Life for Marge and Alex will be Monday, June 7th at 10am at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, followed by a family graveside service at the Burlingame Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to St. Croix Hospice, 5835 SW 29th St., Suite 200, Topeka, KS 66614. Condolences may be sent online to www.kevinbrennanfamily.com.

Marjorie Grieves

July 4, 1926 - May 11, 2021