Marlene Schmar, BSN, RN, ARNP

Marlene Marie Schmar, 76, Topeka, passed away Sunday, Sept. 2, 2012. She was born April 9, 1936 in Greenbush MN, the daughter of Peter and Applone Foldesi Schires. She married Thaddaeus A. Schmar who preceded her in death in 1989. She and Robert Rochford were married; he died in 2001. Marlene earned her BSN at St. Catherine’s University in St. Paul MN, her MSN at Wichita State University, and following that, the designation ARNP, registered nurse practitioner. Her work history includes industrial nursing in Milwaukee WI with Cutler Hammer and serving as a drug and alcohol counselor in New Jersey and also in Arizona. She worked at the North Sedgwick County Mental Health Agency for many years and then at St. Francis Hospital on the psychiatric ward, also in Wichita. She moved to West Virginia Tech to become a professor after which she was named associate dean of Blessing School of Nursing in Quincy IL. She came to Topeka to head the Sunrise Adolescent Unit at Menninger’s. Marlene was then inspired to open and serve as the executive director of Another Chance, Inc., a therapeutic foster care agency based in Holton, from which she retired in 2007. Among all her many nursing achievements it should be noted that Marlene was also a published author. She was a woman of honor and integrity and when maliciously charged by the state of Kansas, she was immediately and fully vindicated by a jury of her peers, though this fact was never publicized. Marlene went out of her way to help society in general and the people in society specifically. Even when in assisted living, she was an ambassador to welcome and help others in need. She was a member of Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish. Marlene was dearly loved. Survivors include her son, Peter D. Schmar, Houston TX; son, Thomas A. Schmar, DVM and his children, Emily E. and Eric T. Schmar, Topeka; sisters, LaVonne Mulvehill, Oak Park Heights MN, and Helen Bures (Leonard), Indian Land SC; and nieces and nephews. She was also preceded in death by a brother, David P. Schires. Family will greet friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Rd, Topeka KS 66614, where the Knights of Columbus will lead a rosary at 8 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:15 a.m. Friday at Most Pure Heart of Mary Church. Cremation will follow with inurnment at a later date in Greenbush MN. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Most Pure Heart of Mary – Ministry to the Aging, sent in care of the funeral home.

Marlene Schmar, BSN, RN, ARNP

April 9, 1936 - September 6, 2012