APPLEBY, Mariellen (Jones) - b September 2, 1933 - d. July 6, 2021

[patyrn]

Mariellen Appleby of Sedan, Kansas passed away peacefully on July 6, 2021 at Pleasant Valley Skilled Nursing Home in Sedan at the age of 87.  She was born September 2, 1933 in Barclay, Kansas in Osage County, the oldest of two daughters born to Archie Even and Mary Ellen (Newman) Jones.

Mariellen graduated from East High School in Wichita, Kansas in 1951 where she was a member of the swim team and enjoyed aerobatic dancing.  She received a Bachelor's degree in Home Economics from Kansas State College in Manhattan, Kansas (now Kansas State University) and a Master's degree from the University of Maryland on a 4-H Fellowship.  While in college, she was a member of Clovia, living in the 4-H Clovia House and became a member of Chimes, an honorary group for young women promoting fellowship, service, and high scholastic scholarship.

Mariellen's entire career was with Kansas Cooperative Extension Service as follows:

1955-1958  Extension Home Economics Agent, Dickinson County, Abilene, Kansas
1958-1963  Extension Home Economics Agent, Greenwood County, Eureka, Kansas
1963-1965  Assistant to the State Leader for Home Economics, Manhattan, Kansas
1965-1989  SE Area Extension Home Economist - Chanute, Kansas

She retired on April 30, 1989.

On September 3, 1966, Mariellen was united in marriage to Thomas Eugene "Tom" Appleby at Danforth Chapel on the KSU campus in Manhattan, Kansas.  They established their first home in Garnett, Kansas and then moved  in 1975 to the Appleby family farm west of Sedan, Kansas.  Mariellen and Tom always enjoyed their many adored pet dogs, water and snow skiing, playing pinochle, being season ticket holders for KSU basketball games, participating in Kansas and national Cattlemen's conventions, and enjoying many shows in Branson, Missouri.  Tom passed away on July 11, 2009 after which Mariellen moved into Sedan where she lived until her death. 

Mariellen ran as a Democrat for the Kansas House of Representative seat for District 76 (Chautauqua, Elk, Greenwood counties) in 1990.  She campaigned door-to-door on foot and by bicycle, finishing with 1,254 votes against Republican incumbent Rex Cromwell's 1,953 votes.  She ran again in 1992, losing again to Cromwell by a margin of 4,331 to 4,843 while carrying Chautauqua County.

Mariellen held membership in Epsilon Sigma Phi (Honorary Extension Professionals Organization) and national and Kansas Association of Home Economists.  For many years, she was active in the Sedan Business and Professional Women's Club and also PEO.  She was a part of  the Chautauqua County 4-H Scholarship program, serving as treasurer for several years.  She was a member of the Kansas Cattlewomen and served as President.  She was a very active member of the United Methodist Church, worshipping and serving in both Wauneta and Sedan churches.  Her faith was an important part of her life, and she was a certified lay minister in the Methodist Church.

Mariellen will be lovingly remembered by her sister-in-law, Mary Louise (Appleby) Jardine of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; nephews, Mark and Scott Jardine; and five great-nieces and great-nephews.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Tom; her parents; and her sister, Arla Jeanine (Jones) Johnson.

A Celebration of Life service was held on July 14, 2021 at the Wauneta United Methodist Church in Wauneta, Kansas with Dean Stone officiating.  Private family inurnment took place at Cedar Vale Cemetery in Cedar Vale, Kansas.  Memorials are suggested to Chautauqua County 4-H Scholarship Fund, the NARF Alzheimer's Research Fund, the Wauneta or Sedan United Methodist Churches, or the charity of your choice.  Contributions may be left in care of Dickens Family Funeral Home, 209 N. Douglas, Sedan, Kansas 67316 which was entrusted with arrangements. 

(taken from the Dickens Family Funeral Home website)
...

Before their marriage, Tom Appleby, husband of Mariellen, lived in Howard and was the 4-H County Agent in Elk County.