Marilyn Mae Davis, 79, passed away peacefully on Nov. 16, 2021, surrounded by her family and friends in her last days. She lived a long, happy life, and passed away peacefully at the University of Kansas Health Systems – Great Bend Campus, after a short battle with colon cancer. Marilyn was born Feb. 2, 1942 in the small town of Minot, N.D. to Marvin and Helen Gunter. Marilyn married Lawrence D. “L.D.” Davis Aug. 16, 1969, at St. Louis, Mo. He passed away May 27, 2016.
Her father became the principle at her school, so doing her homework was not an option. Raised to believe that education and Christian faith were important pillars in life, she moved to St. Paul, Minn. to pursue nursing in college. After graduating, she moved to St. Louis, Mo. where she worked as a nurse. It was here she would meet the love of her life (L.D. Davis) and six short months later, they were married! Together, they moved to Great Bend where they would raise a family, share lifelong friendships, travel the world, and even open their own business they would call L.D. Drilling. Marilyn would hangup her scrubs and dive feet first into the oilfield, working in the family business until the end of her days.
Known as a straight talker, kind and generous to all, with an ornery sense of humor, she was loved by all who knew her. She was an active member of the First Baptist Church, Ellinwood, for over 40 years, and attended Encounter Church (First Assembly of God), Great Bend. Having a servant’s heart, Marilyn gererously supported many charities, ministries and missions. Her favorite things to do were to visit with dear friends, have her “grandma day” every Saturday, and play her favorite games of Chicken Foot and Uno.
She is survived by her two sons, Larry Davis and companion Tina Lankas of McKinney, Texas, and Mark and Kathleen Davis of Ellinwood; five grandchildren, Jessica Way of Benson, Minn., Kaili Davis of Kansas City, Kan., as well as Aidan, Isabella, and Quinlyn Davis, all of Ellinwood; three siblings, Don Gunter of East St. Louis, Ill., Margie Carlson and husband Dan of Las Vegas, Nev., and Carol Witt-Strassburger and husband Bob of Greenbay, Wisc.; and step son-in-law, Scott Brummitt of Edmond, Okla. Marilyn was preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, L.D. Davis; a stepdaughter, Dawn Nell Brummitt; and her sister-in-law, Royal Gunter.
She will be missed, loved, and always remembered.
Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021, at the Encounter Church (First Assembly of God), Great Bend, with Reverend Arlyn Thielenhaus presiding. Graveside services will be 2 p.m. at the Lakin Comanche Cemetery, Ellinwood. Visitation will be 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 22, with the family receiving friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., all at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend. Memorials are suggested to First Baptist Church of Ellinwood Mission Fund or the Encounter Church Mission Fund, in care of Bryant Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net.
Funeral arrangements provided by
Bryant Funeral Home
1425 Patton Road
Great Bend, KS 67530
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Nov. 19, 2021
