Marian Orton

Marian Shipp Holliday Orton passed away on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at the age of 99. She was born on February 9, 1927, in Burlingame, Kansas on her father’s 48th birthday. He always said it was the best birthday present he had ever received. Marian was the daughter of Francis “Frank” Marian and Opal Nicely Olson Shipp. The family moved to Alma, Kansas in 1928, where Marian spent her formative years and attended Alma Schools. She married Leland D. Travis in 1945; they later divorced. Marian moved to Topeka in 1949 and worked for Pelletiers and Beatrice Foods as a PBX Operator. She and Frank N. Holliday were married in 1951, the year of the big flood. She became a stay-at-home mom. Frank’s job took them to Emporia and in 1955, she began her career with Southwestern Bell. Marian and Frank later divorced and she returned to Topeka. She met the Love of her life, Guy C. Orton in 1970 and they were married for nearly 40 years. She retired from Southwestern Bell in 1985. Marian enjoyed serving her family, reading, cross stitching, crocheting, and playing cards. She was an avid KU Basketball fan and enjoyed watching the Chiefs and Royals. In her role as mother, Marian was a Room Mother, Cub Scout Den Mother, coached a girls’ softball team, and frequently served carpool duty. She was also a doting grandmother. Marian was a member and Past President of the Telephone Pioneers, Life Member Club, Santa Fe Oldtimers, and First Lutheran Church. She volunteered at St. Francis Hospital, Ronald McDonald House, and her Church. Marian’s family sincerely thanks the McCrite Family and staff for providing their mother with love and care during the years she lived there. They became her extended family. Marian is survived by her sons, Rich Holliday (Gay), Richard Orton (Linda), Joel Orton (Claudia), Kevin Orton (Kathy), Rex Orton (Robin), Phil Holliday (Carolyn); special daughter, Jo Emerson; grandchildren, Mike Stanley (Kim), Bennet Orton, Craig Orton, Alaire Wilson (Rob), Matt Orton, Joe Orton, Makenna Orton, Max Orton, Makade Orton, Pamela Szuba (Keith), Mary Joe Sullivan (Frank); nine great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Marian was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Guy; stepdaughter, Karen Bartel; grandson, Daniel Emerson; parents; brothers, Merl Shipp, Paul Shipp and Edward Shipp; and sisters, Pauline Love and Ida Thomas. Visitation will be 9 a.m. Monday, March 2, 2026, at First Lutheran Church, 1234 SW Fairlawn Rd, Topeka KS 66604, where funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Braden’s Hope for Childhood Cancer, and sent in care of Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Road, Topeka KS 66614. Condolences may be sent online to www.kevinbrennanfamily.com.

Marian Orton

February 9, 1927 - February 22, 2026