Marilyn Jenney

(From Derfelt Funeral Home)

Marilyn Jean Mitts Jenney, 77, of Columbus, Kansas, died Wednesday, March 8, 2023, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Missouri, following a short illness.

She was born May 31, 1945, to William Milas and Doris (Kelly) Mitts. She graduated from

Cherokee County Rural High School in 1963 and went on to earn her bachelor's degree in elementary education from the Kansas State College of Pittsburg, now Pittsburg State University, in 1967. She also received a master’s in elementary education from Pitt State in 1975.

Marilyn was a talented and caring educator for over 30 years. She began her career teaching eighth grade at Meadow View in Parsons, Kansas in the spring of 1967. In the years that followed, she taught second grade at Meadow View from the fall of 1967-1971; second grade in Riverton, Kansas from 1971-1972; first grade at Highland School in Columbus from 1972-1976; kindergarten at Greenlawn Elementary in Columbus from 1976-1983; first grade at Highland again from 1983-1999, and Park School in Columbus from 1999 until her retirement in 2000.

Marilyn married the love of her life, Charles Wesley Jenney, on Aug. 27, 1970, at the First United Methodist Church of Columbus. He preceded her in death on May 10, 1994. Also preceding her in death were her parents as well as siblings Bill, Cal Gene, Marietta, Ron and Michael Mitts.

Marilyn’s life was filled with crafting, music, socializing, and reminiscing with family and friends

in person and via Facebook. Her crafting skills knew no bounds. Through the years, she enjoyed sewing, crocheting, scrapbooking, hair-bow making, doll-making, and painting. Her latest projects were sewing and distributing thousands of fabric masks throughout the community during the COVID-19 pandemic and making blankets and pillows in support of the Dream Big Little One Association. 

She was a former member of the Delta Kappa Gamma sorority of her fellow women educators and the Retired Teachers Personnel group, volunteered at the Columbus Genealogy Library, and played piano, sang in the choir, and taught Sunday School and VBS at the First United Methodist Church where she was a member.

Survivors include two daughters, Sara (Sean) Reyburn of Pendleton, Oregon, and Charla (Perry) Selix of Joplin, Missouri. Marilyn was a proud Grandma to Jake and Drew Reyburn and Charlie, Tanner and Jenna Selix. Also surviving are her older brother John (Sandy) Mitts of Big Fork, Montana, her twin sister Carolyn Mitts of North Bend, Oregon, three sisters-in-law: Donna Mitts of Tucson, Arizona, Harriett Mitts of Manchester, Missouri, and Debbie Mitts of Olathe, Kansas, and many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.

Arrangements are under the direction of Derfelt Funeral Home with services planned for 10 a.m.

Saturday, March 25, 2023 at the First United Methodist Church of Columbus. A private family burial at
Park Cemetery will occur at a later time. 

Memorial contributions may be made to Dream Big Little One Association care of the funeral home. Online condolences can be left at www.derfeltfuneralhomes.com.