MariAnne Geck, 87, of Lenexa, KS, passed away on Saturday, October 19, 2024, in the presence of her daughter, AnnMarie, after a brief battle with cancer. Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 AM, Monday, November 18, 2024, at Church of the Ascension, 9510 West 127th St., Overland Park, KS. Visitation is at the church prior to mass from 9:00 to 10:00, with a reception after mass.
MariAnne was born in Dickinson, North Dakota on July 21, 1937, to Michael and Agnes (Ficek) Wolberg. She was the youngest child and became a favorite sitter for many of her nieces and nephews while attending elementary and secondary schools in the area. In 1958, she married Douglas Geck and moved out of western North Dakota. They had five boys in seven years, then finally, after an eleven-year gap, a very welcome girl. MariAnne was the primary caregiver to all six children. With the family she reveled in the joys and miseries of countless sports and dance teams and listened to untold numbers of band concerts. She and her family moved to Kansas, Utah, and New Jersey for Doug’s career advancements before settling in Overland Park. Later, she became a world traveler, seeing, enjoying, and learning about life well beyond her North Dakota farm origins.
MariAnne and Doug were committed to providing the best opportunities for their special needs son, Jim. Their work led to establishing the first special education programs in Leavenworth, Kansas and new programs in Salt Lake City. They were loyal supporters of many programs that assist persons with special needs in Johnson County.
MariAnne is survived by her children, Duane Michael (Theresa Deily) Geck of San Rafael, CA; Jay Douglas (Tanya Barnett) Geck of Olympia, WA; James Paul Geck of Overland Park; Gary Wallace Geck of Takoma Park, MD; Paul Joseph (KennaKay Hyatt) Geck of Blue Lake, CA; and AnnMarie (Brian) Helmke of Boca Raton, FL. She was also blessed with seven grandchildren, Kevin (Grace Norton) Geck, Richard (Martha Levin) Geck, Michelle Geck (Alex) Gilman, Sofia Geck, Helena Helmke, Jack Helmke, and Liam Helmke. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, brothers Robert and Joseph, and sisters Margaret and Dorothy.
MariAnne had a natural green thumb with her flower gardens, starting in 1966 with a dazzling display of roses at their newly-built home in Leavenworth, and continuing to the full colored, flowering landscape around their backyard pool in Overland Park in the 2000s. She hosted her grandchildren at “Club Geck,” the ultimate summer vacation location, pampering them as only the best grandmothers can do. MariAnne was a parishioner at Church of the Ascension and volunteered at the food pantry at Catholic Charities. She was an avid bridge player in neighborhood bridge clubs and continued after moving to Silvercrest College View, where she also maintained the flower planters for several years for her friends there to enjoy. MariAnne enthusiastically followed current events and enjoyed engaging in political debates and issues, willing to share her views with others. She leaves a legacy as a loving, caring person that will be missed by friends and family alike.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: KCK Emergency Assistance Center, c/o Catholic Charities of NE Kansas City, 2220 Central Avenue, Kansas City, KS 66102, or to Friends of Johnson County Developmental Supports, 10501 Lackman Road, Lenexa, KS 66219.