TOPEKA – Myrna Marlene Wegner, Ph.D., 82, of Topeka, passed away on Saturday, June 19, 2021 at the Brewster Place Health Center in Topeka.

Born June 25, 1938 in Onaga, the daughter of Elroy and Geneva Shehi Wegner.

Myrna loved learning and the written word throughout her life. She graduated from Onaga High School in 1956, obtained her Bachelors and Masters degrees from Kansas State Teachers College of Emporia in 1959 and 1964 respectively and a Doctorate of Philosophy from Kansas State University in 1980.

The first chapter of her career as a Teacher Librarian opened in Hugoton, Kansas. She later moved to Topeka in 1963 to serve as a Teacher Librarian for Topeka Public Schools, becoming the district's Director of Libraries in 1965. Twenty-nine years later, Myrna turned the page and retired from the Topeka Schools but her story continued as she authored a similar role in the Blue Valley Schools, near Kansas City, for half a decade more. She earned numerous awards from both school districts, including a Distinguished Administrator Award from the Topeka Public Schools and an Education Emmy for extraordinary Educational opportunities and positive learning environment for students from the Blue Valley Educational Foundation in 2001.

Myrna was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Gary Lee Wegner, Sr., a nephew, Gary Lee Wegner, Jr., and a nephew-in-law, Tim Graf.

She is survived by her niece Connie Graf, Onaga, KS; great niece, Mary Ubel (Tim), Blaine, KS and their children, Hazel Marlene and Olive Orlene; great nephew, Jesse Graf, Onaga, KS; great nephew, Matt Graf and his son Timothy, Onaga, KS; great nephew Kenneth Graf (Kimber) St. Mary, KS, and their children, Kylie, Kenny and Karter; and cousin, Arletta Bennett, in Aurora, Colorado.

A celebration of life for Myrna Marlene Wegner will be held on Thursday July 8th 2021 from 12pm-2pm at Klinge Activity Center in Brewster Place's main building at 1205 S.W. 29th. We will be celebrating with a few of her favorite things; a Taco bar, pink attire (if you can), and much story telling about our Dr. Myrna Wegner.

With family and friends far and wide a graveside service will also be held the same day, Thursday July 8th 2021 at 4pm at Onaga Cemetery Golden Belt Rd. Onaga, KS 66521.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Myrna Marlene Wegner Memorial Fund for purposes near and dear to Myrna's heart, including making much needed improvements to her parents' grave site and those may be sent in care of the Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, PO Box 312, Onaga, KS 66521.

Epilogue. If you knew Myrna, then you know what she loved. Her cats, the color pink, tacos, storytelling, sewing, crocheting and her dear friends. (1)

(1) Footnote. Friends only became dear if they could keep up with Myrna's strong mind and strong will, her love of a good joke and her all-around orneriness, which most believe she inherited from her mother. In return, such friends received amazing advice and abundant laughter.