Jolana "Jo" Marsh

Jolana “Jo” Marsh, 70, of Olathe, Kansas, beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on September 6, 2022.  Jo was born on October 22, 1951 in Ellsworth, Kansas to Curtis and Georgianna Ellard.  She graduated valedictorian of Ellsworth High School in 1969 and received her Master’s in Business Administration from Wichita State University in 1988.  Jo spent most of her professional career working in healthcare administration, most recently serving as the Chief Executive Officer of Associates in Women’s Health in Wichita, Kansas for many years before retiring in early 2018.  After her retirement in 2018, she moved to Scottsdale, Arizona, to be near her daughter and family.  In 2020, Jo and Katie’s family moved back to Kansas, where she settled in Olathe, near both her daughter and son.

Jo married Ron Marsh of Clay Center, Kansas in 1971, and was married for over 25 years before being divorced.  They lived in Manhattan and Liberal before settling in Wichita, Kansas to raise their two children.

Jo is survived by her children, son Michael and wife Tina of Overland Park, Kansas, their two sons, Oscar and Ryder, and daughter Katie and husband Matt Salome of Overland Park, Kansas, and their three daughters, Caroline, Kennedy, and Palmer.

Jo enjoyed so many aspects of life and was constantly checking things off her “bucket” list.  From traveling the world and trying new foods, she strived to experience the best of life.  She enjoyed eating out with her family and friends and drinking that first cup of coffee in the morning.  She was an amazing cook (made everything with so much love), and her holiday dinners were nothing less than perfect.  She was an avid reader and loved exploring her ancestry.  Above all, Jo loved nothing more than spending time with her kids and grandkids - watching her grandkids meet various milestones (she was so proud), park visits, stroller walks, swimming, baking banana bread, ice cream “Sunday” parties.  She was affectionately named “Nama” and “Grandma Jo” by her five grandchildren who all loved her so deeply.

Jo had the kindest heart and cared so deeply for people.  The most hard-working person you’d ever meet and did everything for everyone else at the drop of a hat.  She was the smartest and strongest person, but so sweet and humble.  She was a teacher of many hard life lessons, but also how to overcome any obstacle.

Michael fondly remembers his Mom as someone who was always on his side, however quick to share good advice when it was needed.  He remembers her cheering at his baseball games.  He remembers learning how to cook, and enjoying many holidays preparing meals.  He remembers family vacations to beach destinations.  He remembers always having a partner to share calamari with, in their never ending search of the best calamari in the world.  He remembers a loving mother who will be greatly missed.

Katie remembers her Mom as her best friend.  Someone she talked to daily and relied deeply on for many things.  Katie and Jo took many vacations together, just the two of them, and created so many wonderful memories.  Katie remembers the early morning cups of coffee watching the sunrise, before anyone else was awake, or enjoying a glass of wine watching a peaceful sunset on the back patio.  When Katie was a kid, she remembers Thursday night back rubs and holding her hand wherever they went.  She remembers how much she loved her grandkids and the special bond she had with each one.  Above it all though, Katie remembers how much they loved each other and how much she will be missed.

Memorial services will be held on Friday, September 30, 2022 at 2 p.m. with visitation at 1:30 p.m. at Johnson County Funeral Chapel.  Memorial contributions may be made to Johnson County Funeral Chapel for the family's discretion.