Marjorie Mayer Harland

Marjorie June Mayer Harland, 98, of Marysville, KS, died July 2, 2023, at Meadowlark Hills in Manhattan, KS. Visitation was Friday, July 7, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Kinsley Mortuary. The family received friends from 5 to 7 p.m. A funeral service was held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, July 8, at the Marysville Methodist Church. Rev. Insung Kim and Rev. Marilyn Sweet officiated. Rev. Insung Kim and Rev. Marilyn Sweet officiated. Gail Gilkerson played the organ while vocalists, Wayne Kruse and Linda Highland, sang “In the Garden”, “What Wondrous Love is This” and “Amazing Grace.” The pallbearers were her grandchildren, Christel Highland, Cari Ringwald, Jeff Mayer, Garth Highland, Dr. Katherine Mayer, Stephen Mayer, Holly Brannen, Christina Williamson, Kelsie Tryon, Gannon Mayer, Dr. Allyson Mayer and Dr. Sarah Mayer. The grandchildren served as pallbearers. The burial was in the Marysville City Cemetery. Marjorie was born June 5, 1925, near Axtell, KS, to Chester C. and Ethel (Johnson) Gaston. She attended West Point Grade School (rural) and in 1942, graduated from Axtell High School. She attended Brown Mackie Business College in Topeka and worked at Capper Foundation until moving to Marysville in 1944 to work for the ASCS office, where she met her future husband. On February 24, 1946, she married Robert R. Mayer. To this union, five children were born. On April 28, 2001, she married Earl Francis (Toad) Harland. After marriage to Robert, Marjorie left the ASCS office and became a farm wife south of Marysville. They crop farmed and ran a dairy. The family always had a large garden with fruit trees. The Great Depression from her childhood left a great impact on Marjorie, leading her to can and freeze all summer long. Later, crop farming became the primary focus of the farm she managed for many years. Marjorie was a good athlete, playing girls basketball in high school, and was a very good student. The family was always vested in the Marysville United Methodist Church and Marjorie was a lifelong member, serving as secretary of UMC Lydia Circle. In 1990-91 Marjorie served as Senior Regent of the Women of the Moose, an organization she enjoyed for many years. In the neighborhood she participated in the Thursday Afternoon Club. Extension and 4-H also played a large part for the family. Marjorie was recognized for her Extension service where she served on the board, lead sewing and cooking projects, and enjoyed watching the livestock. Additional groups Marjorie participated in were Lucky EHU, Marshall County Farm Bureau Board, Kansas Bankers Soil Conservation award winner, and Farm Credit Board of Directors. Marjorie loved to listen to music, dance, watch birds, attend K-State games, and to play all kinds of games, especially pinochle in many clubs. She taught her children and grandchildren to play pinochle, and it became the family game. She loved being with family the most, and never missed sending them birthday cards. The whole family and community appreciated her delicious meals. Marjorie was known for her abundant pie making, which the family savored at every gathering. She enjoyed many great times with her family and with her brothers and sisters on trips and at family dinners. Marjorie was preceded in death by husband’s Robert R. Mayer (June 27, 1986) and Earl Francis “Toad” Harland (December 11, 2013); daughter-in-law, Susi Mayer; brothers, Meredith Gaston, Max Gaston, and Donald Gaston; sister, Dorothy Anderson; and one great grandchild, Everett Tjaden. Survivors include her children: Linda A. (Dr. Ronald) Highland of Wamego, KS, Dr. Donald R. (Kathleen) Mayer of Wichita, KS, David R. Mayer, Manhattan, KS, Lynn W. (Jerri) Mayer of Marysville, KS, and Kent R. (Becky) Mayer of Urbandale, IA. Other survivors include her sister, Shirley Malone of Burchard, NE, and grandchildren, Christel Highland, Kansas City, MO, Cari Ringwald, Ellinwood, KS, Jeff Mayer, Manhattan, KS, Garth Highland, Sligo, Ireland, Dr. Katherine Mayer, Denver, CO, Stephen Mayer, Denver, CO, Holly Brannen, Manhattan, KS, Christina Williamson, Denver, CO, Kelsie Tryon, Olathe, KS, Gannon Mayer, North KC, MO, Dr. Allyson Mayer, St. Louis, MO, Dr. Sarah Mayer, Seattle, WA, and 25 great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established to be designated later. Contributions may be sent in care of Kinsley Mortuary. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Marjorie Mayer Harland, please visit our flower store.