Marsha Tomberlin

This is the story of Marsha Ruth (Curtis) Tomberlin. Marsha was a wonderful woman that was loved, is missed, and will always be cherished. Our Mom or “Nana,” as she liked to be called by her grandchildren and “Tasmanian devil” by her dad, was an amazing wife, mom, daughter, and a baker of cookies and sweets like no other.

Marsha’s story starts on August 12, 1957.  She was the third child of Edmund and Barbara Curtis. Marsha was a fierce woman – holding fast to her beliefs, defending those she loved, and always seeking to better herself. She gave birth to eight children, with her deceased ex-husband Michael Coleman, without any pain medicine, which she occasionally reminded us to prove how tough she could be.

Marsha loved to cook and be with her family.

She could always be found with a diet coke in her hand.

She shared a home in Overland Park as an oasis with Ron, her best friend and husband for 20 years. Their deep love for animals influenced many adventures from their cat rescue in their Wyandotte home to their current crew of beloved dogs. Together, they kept a large garden filled with tomatoes, eggplants, cucumbers, and peppers.

Marsha loved flowers; some of her favorites were sunflowers, bleeding hearts, and black irises. The bleeding heart flower is a perfect way to symbolize Marsha, as she felt deeply sympathetic to the plights and misfortunes of people and animals. She would never turn away a stray or wounded animal, she believed their souls were precious. She always had room in her heart and space at her table for those the world saw as “outcasts” or “misfits”. She would give the shirt off her back and the last dollar in her bank account to anyone in need.

Marsha’s grandchildren were her heart and joy. There’s no denying that her grandbabies, as she called them, were the people that she loved the most.

Marsha leaves behind her loving and devoted husband Ron, children Michael, Megan, Melony, Matthew, Marshall, Madison, Moriah, and Mallory along with their families. Her legacy is strong with her 20 grandchildren, and a great-granddaughter. She lived a life of service to others and to her faith. She died peacefully with loved ones, on December 28th, 2021.

And so the story goes on until we see our Mom and Nana again. We love you and miss you.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the family to help cover any additional costs of the funeral.

Venmo @Melony-brownawell