Marilla Jean (Tiemeyer) Griffiths, 86, went peacefully to be with her Lord on Saturday, November 28, 2020, at Leonardville Nursing Home.
Marilla was born September 18, 1934, in her home in Palmer, KS, the daughter of Hubert Carl and Hulda Alma Frieda (Killman) Tiemeyer. Marilla attended grade school at St. John’s Lutheran School, Palmer where she was able to skip first grade and go immediately to second grade because her mother had already taught her how to read at home. She then went on to graduate from Linn High School in 1951 and Bethany School of Nursing, Kansas City, KS, in 1955, as an RN.
Marilla’s parents not only taught her to love the Lord, but also showed her how to live by faith. She loved her parents dearly, and thoroughly adored her seven siblings, she also loved her Grandpa Fred Killman who lived with them. On June 10, 1956, she was united in marriage to Henry A. Griffiths at St. John’s Lutheran Church, and they celebrated 45 years of marriage until Henry’s death in 2001. Marilla met Henry while she was caring for his sister, Betty, who was hospitalized in Kansas City, and it was Betty who introduced them. Henry and Marilla loved each other fiercely, facing many hardships and joys together. One humorous story they liked to share took place on a date to the Kansas City Royal Livestock Show. Henry was leading Marilla by the hand down the steps to find a seat in the stadium, the crowd began to point and roar in laughter so Henry turned around to see what they were all pointing at, only to find that he was leading a clown down the steps! They also faced hardships together such as the tragic death of Henry’s sister and father within a few years of each other, and the loss of their first baby James Henry shortly after birth. They were blessed, however, with two daughters, Teri Lynn and Nancy Jo. The couple enjoyed working together on their farm east of Clay Center, KS.
Marilla touched many lives through her work as an RN at the Clay County Community Hospital, briefly at Medical Lodge, and then at the Clay Center Presbyterian Manor, retiring in 2002. Marilla had a true servant's heart. She showed her love for others through her nursing skills by caring for elderly family members in her home, as well as helping elderly neighbors with personal care such as washing and setting hair, or trimming toenails. She was also a faithful prayer warrior for those she loved and cared for.
Henry and Marilla were long-time members at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Clay Center. She sang in the choir, taught Sunday School, was on the evangelism committee, and was an active LWML member, with soup suppers, quilts, and Lutheran World Relief. They then attended the Assemblies of God Church where they were baptized as adults by Pastor Gale Lund; and later on Countryside and Green United Methodist Churches. Above all else, she loved her Lord with all her heart, she constantly studied the scriptures to learn more and strove to serve Him faithfully. When entering Heaven, Marilla has always wanted her Lord to say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”
Marilla enjoyed quilting, which began with her mother and sisters; she created scores of beautiful quilts, gifting them to friends and family. She also liked working crossword puzzles with Henry; reading historical non-fiction: baking; singing and playing piano; gardening, and canning; playing pinochle with her friends Jim and Dorothy, and pitch or canasta with her family. She even created some beautiful paintings with the help and instruction from her sister Marcella, and her dear friend Audrey. She treasured her big white dog Freckles who became her companion and protector when Henry died.
Marilla adored her family, her children, and her grandchildren. She always wanted her grandchildren to know their grandparents, inviting the older ones to the farm for a week in the summer, taking them on adventures and creating memories in such places as Rock City, Coronado Heights, the Abilene Rodeo, the Rolling Hills Zoo and VBS at Countryside. When Marilla moved to Nebraska, she adored Ethan’s daily visits and his help with her electronics, she showered him with love and lots of treats. Marilla was so excited to be close to Nancy when the twins were born, and enjoyed frequent meals and visits with Nancy’s family, until her health prevented her from doing so. Her grandchildren and family loved her homemade cinnamon rolls and Hawaiian Sweet bread, and all the delicious meals she made. She made peanut clusters and goodies for Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving, but always wanted everyone to know that the real reason for celebrating was the life, death, and resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ. She was a dedicated and loving daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and sister. She was dearly loved and will be deeply missed.
Survivors include two daughters: Teri Wodtke and husband Dave of Topeka; and Nancy Buchli and husband TJ of Milford, NE; seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild: Chris Wodtke; Andrew Wodtke and wife, Danni, of Topeka; Cody Buchli of Pleasant Dale, NE; Dakotah Hicks and husband Dillon, and their baby Dunham, of Malcolm, NE; Ethan, Annabelle and Ellianna Buchli of Milford, NE; two brothers: Roland Tiemeyer of Palmer, and Ronald Tiemeyer and wife Trudy of Linn/Palmer; one sister: Ruth Jones of Linn; one sister-in-law: Debbie Tiemeyer of Manhattan; her sister Ruby Fox’s longtime friend Jerry Weise of Salina; cousins, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Marilla was preceded in death by her parents; one infant son, her husband, Henry; sister Wanda and brother-in-law Geno Gillette; sister Marcella and brother-in-law Don Bechard; sister Ruby Fox; brother Kenneth Tiemeyer;brother-in-law Marshall Jones; sister-in-law Berniece Tiemeyer; sister and brother-in-law Shirley and Don Frazier; sister-in-law Betty Griffiths.
Respect calls will be held at Neill-Schwensen-Rook Funeral Home in Clay Center, KS, on Friday, December 4, 2020 where the family will be receiving visitors from 3:00-8:00 p.m.
The funeral service (also at Neill-Schwensen-Rook), will take place on Saturday, December 5, 2020, at 10:30 a.m., Pastor Sarah Gill, Green United Methodist Church, officiating. The service will be live streamed, https://www.facebook.com/nsrfuneralhome/live
Graveside service will be held at Greenwood Cemetery, Clay Center, following the funeral.
Memorials are suggested to: Green Christian School or Gideon’s International sent to Neill-Schwensen-Rook Funeral Home, 918 7th St., Clay Center, KS 67432.