ELLINWOOD — Marla Jean Macy, 67, passed away on Nov. 5, 2021 in Ellinwood, Kan. Cancer is a thief and has taken our beloved mother and grandmother from us all way too soon. She was born to parents Herman Joseph and Mary Ann (Klepper) Kowalsky on April 18, 1954 in Ellinwood, Kan. A lifetime Ellinwood resident she graduated from Ellinwood High in 1972. Marla married Tom Macy on Nov. 24, 1972 and they later divorced. She was as stoic as it gets when it came to fighting all things in life, but stood up to her cancer diagnosis and outlived it by years. Marla loved hosting her family, filling her house with laughter and games, and always wanted to be the host for her children so she could have fun too. She loved Christmas time, auctions, and antiques which she collected over the years. She always looked forward to her class reunions with the EHS Class of ‘72. She was a member of the Tuesday Morning Prayer Group, St. Joseph Church and Altar Society, Kans for Kids Fighting Cancer, and the Jaycee’s. 

Marla was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Barbara Kowalsky; and a son, Eric Macy. Survivors include partner of 20 years, Paul Fullbright; daughters, Dawn (Dallas) Beck, Lisa (Terry) Gross, Andrea (Josh) Sturgis, Amanda Fullbright; siblings, Gail (Ed) Geer, Gregg (Lori) Kowalsky; beloved grandchildren, Macy Fahrney, Brynlee Baker, Bryce Baker, Myles Menges, Bella Baker, Peyton Edwards, and Ruby Sturgis; great-grandchildren, Crew Lawrence and Hadley Fahrney. Blended grandchildren include Jayde Beck, Brittney Beck, Dalton Beck, Erica Gross, and Hailey Gross.

Thank you to everyone who provided transportation during radiation, meals, and prayers for Marla and her family over the past five years of this battle.  

Special thanks to Dr. Benjamin Powers with The University of Kansas Sarcoma Cancer Center who’s care was above and beyond any physician’s call of duty. His compassion for our mother made her appointments something that she actually looked forward to, which made all the difference in the world when it mattered the most.

Memorial service will be 10:30 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 11th at St. Joseph Church in Ellinwood with Father Terrance Klein officiating. Inurnment will follow at Lakin-Comanche Cemetery in Ellinwood, Kan. Vigil service and rosary will take place Wednesday 7 p.m. at Minnis Chapel in Ellinwood. Memorials are suggested to Kans for Kids Fighting Cancer or Camp Hope (KyMel) in care of Minnis Chapel, PO Box 246, Ellinwood, KS 67526. 

Funeral arrangements provided by

Minnis Chapel 

P.O. Box 246 

Ellinwood, KS 67526

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Nov. 10. 2021