Marilyn Crenshaw, a former resident of Anthony, recently living in Lawrence, Kansas, passed away on August 16, 2017. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at the Anthony United Methodist Church at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, September 16, 2017. A private inurnment will take place next to her late husband in the Harper Cemetery at a later date.

Marilyn was born November 20, 1925 in rural Kennedy, New York, daughter of Harold W. and Helena (Williams) Spencer. She graduated from Randolph Central School, Randolph, New York in 1943 and attended Buffalo State Teachers College, Buffalo, New York, receiving her Bachelor's degree in 1947 and her Master's degree in 1956.

Marilyn taught Home Economics in school sin Cattaraugus, Colorado and was teaching at Randolph Central School when she met Howard Crenshaw, who was at that time a student at Wesley Seminary in Washington, D.C. and serving a small student pastorate in Sharptown, New Jersey. Howard and Marilyn were married at the Kennedy Methodist Church on July 3, 1960, following Howard's graduation from seminary.

Upon returning to Kansas West Conference of the United Methodist Church in May of 1961, Howard and Marilyn served churches in Turon/Langdon, Haven, Wichita-East Heights, Oakley, Anthony, and Wichita-Dellrose. Upon Howard's death in 1990 from Leukemia, Marilyn returned to live in Anthony for 19 1/2 years before moving to an apartment in Lawrence to be near her son and family.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her husband, Howard; her parents, Harold and Helena; and her only sibling, Iris Hamilton of Bath, New York. She is survived by one son, Wesley, his wife, Lucinda, and two grandchildren, Alyssa and Alexander; nephew, Michael Hamilton and niece, Martha Biener, both of Bath, New York; several cousins and other relatives; and a host of friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas, Anthony United Methodist Church, or Youthville.

Prairie Rose Funeral Homes, 613 W 14th ~ Harper, Kansas 67058 is in charge of the arrangements.