Dawn Rae Marsh

Dawn Rae Marsh of Topeka died on Sunday, August 2nd, 2015, at a local hospital. She was 70 years old.

She was born Dawn Carey on March 16, 1945 in Alleghany County, Virginia, to Troy and Virginia (McCoy) Carey. She was the second of five children and the only daughter.

A member of the CT Smith High School class of 1963, she went on to attend nursing school. In 1967, she was swept off her feet by a Marine from Topeka, Dale Marsh. The two married on July 21 after a six-week whirlwind courtship and eventually returned to Dale's home in Kansas.

Dawn possessed a warm and open heart and instilled in her children from an early age the importance of charity and kindness. She shared that loving nature with anyone in need of kindness or clan: she collected "adopted" siblings, children, and grandchildren the way some people collect stamps; and she had love enough to spare for each and every one of them.

Dawn worked in the bakery of Harry's IGA prior to becoming a stay-at-home mom. She also volunteered with the Shaner Elementary School PTA and the Dornwood Girls Softball Association, serving as coach, scorekeeper, and umpire. She was a long-time customer of the Downtown Topeka Farmer's Market and knew her regular vendors by first name.

She is survived by daughters Diana and Debbie Marsh, both of Topeka; a son-in-law, Rob Schlehuber, Topeka; a son, Kevin Kimball, Rockledge, FL; brothers Jack Carey and Wilson Liptrap, both of Virginia; and several beloved nieces and nephews and numerous "adopted" family members. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dale; her parents; her stepfather, Dewitt Liptrap; and brothers Troy and Jon.

Memorial services will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 6, 2015 at Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Chapel. Private family inurnment will be at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.

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