Marjorie A. Crist, 98, Salina, passed away Sunday, March 5, 2023, at the Salina Presbyterian Manor.  She was born April 11, 1924, in Superior, NE to Russell and Doris (Hathaway) Bell. They moved to a farm northeast of Minneapolis, KS when she was 2 years old. Her parents farmed during the difficult times of the 1930s. She attended the Burnham rural 1-room school for early grades then graduated from Minneapolis High School.

Marjorie was married to Riley D. Tibbits in 1941 and they farmed together in the Ottawa County area for many years. They had three children, John, George, and Darlene. She later married Bernie Crist in 1970 and lived in Minneapolis and Salina, KS.

Marjorie was an accomplished seamstress, making clothes for her family and others. She owned and operated a sewing and alteration business in Salina for several years.  She also worked as a nursing assistant at different hospitals over her work life. She especially enjoyed her work with new mothers in the maternity care center at Salina Regional Health Center and retired from there when she turned 70.

Marjorie liked to be active and had several interests she was passionate about. She delighted in her flower garden and looked forward to the new planting season each spring with multiple trips to obtain the most interesting plants to carefully tend over the growing and blooming seasons. Her lawn and landscaping also showed her detailed care.  Other summer highlights always included baseball. She greatly enjoyed watching grandchildren, then great grandchildren play ball. She was most recently seen cheering on the sidelines at age 96 and sure hated to miss out on these events. Watching the Royals on TV was also a favorite pastime.

During the winter months, her attention turned to sewing and she meticulously stitched grandchildren's pajamas and clothing as well as for their dolls or cabbage patch kids. Marjorie also was an excellent quilter and enjoyed the art as well as gifting family and friends with her creations.   Winter also meant KU basketball which she enjoyed watching on TV until last week.

She loved her family and was very proud of each member; always asking for specific updates on the sport or activity or milestone of each person. She found joy in sharing and staying involved in the family. She hosted many holiday gatherings and summer picnics to keep everyone connected. Visiting with neighbors and friends was also a favorite pastime and a priority for her to find commonality and relate with others.  Woven throughout her life was a keen love and respect of nature and a nurturing spirit to help those in need. In these ways, she also portrayed faith in God. She believed in Jesus for her salvation.

Survivors are her son, George Tibbits and his wife, Linda; daughter, Darlene Timmerman; daughter-in-law, Rosalee Tibbits; sisters-in-law, Shirley Bell and Cheryl Bell. Grandchildren include, Tom Tibbits and his wife, Nicole; Tim Tibbits and his wife, Teresa; Greg Tibbits; Kevin Tibbits and his wife, Amanda; Amy Sachau and her husband, David; Sara Williams and her husband Troy; Jay Timmerman and his wife Melanie; and 12 great-grandchildren.

Marjorie was preceded in death by her parents; son, John T. Tibbits; infant daughter, Mary Katherine; siblings, Duane and James Bell, and Lorraine Meehan; and her husbands, Riley D. Tibbits and Bernie Crist

Visitation will begin at 11:00 A.M., Friday, March 10, at Wilson Family Funeral Home, 405 Argyle Ave., Minneapolis, KS 67467, where services will begin at 1:00 P.M. Burial will be in Highland Cemetery, Minneapolis. Memorials may be made to the Salina Presbyterian Manor and left in care of the funeral home.