Marion S’Lee (Choate) Stuart died Friday, February 2, 2024, at the Clay County Medical Center after a brief illness. She was 97 years old. Marion was born in Emporia, Kansas, on March 30, 1926, the only child of John and Irene (Fleming) Choate. She was married to Charles “Chuck” Stuart for 68 years until his death in 2015.
Marion attended school on the Emporia State University (then Kansas State Teachers College) campus from the time she was age 5 until receiving her master’s degree in 1967. She was an active alumna, receiving the Emporia State Alumni Citation in 2016. Marion was a teacher in Clay County, Kansas, for nearly 25 years before retiring in 1988. She was a life-long learner and loved to travel – visiting 57 countries. Marion was also a gardener and avid golfer. She and her husband often joined friends at the Clay Center Country Club for golf and social events. Marion was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Clay Center, Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority, and Delta Kappa Gamma leadership society. She shared her time, talents, and resources with various philanthropic endeavors in Clay Center including the Clay County Hospital Foundation, the Clay County Red Cross blood drive, and Christmas for All. She also served as a Girl Scout troop leader for several years.
Marion is survived by her only child, Gregory C. Stuart, Council Grove, and the blended family she loved as her own: grandchildren Brent Lehner (Jane Deterding), Goddard; Mark Lehner (Debbi), Sebastian, FL; great-grandchildren Missi King (Jason), Andover; Alex Lehner (Sonya), Decatur, GA; Richard Henson (Morgan), Sebastian, FL; Katy Swarthout (Tyler), Savannah, GA; John Lehner, Wichita; and eight great-great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, and daughter-in-law, Suzann (Lehner) Stuart.
Services will be Tuesday, February 6, 2024, at 10:30 a.m., First Presbyterian Church, Clay Center, Kansas
Visitation will be held on Monday, February 5, 2024, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial gifts to the Clay County Hospital Foundation in care of Neill-Schwensen-Rook Funeral Home, 918 7th Street, Clay Center, Kansas 67432.
Online condolences may be made at www.nsrfh.com
