Imegene Hammer Marsh

Imegene Hammer Marsh, born Martha Imegene Hammer on March 11, 1922, in Emporia, Kansas, passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, June 1, 2025, at the age of 103. She was the beloved daughter of Berlin E. and Lola Mae Swangin Hammer and sister to Albert E. Hammer and Berlin E. Hammer, Jr. and sister Dorothy Rowlands Bradford.

Imegene graduated from Emporia High School in 1939 and pursued further education at the College of Emporia. She married her high school sweetheart, Wayne Brandt, in 1941, and they lived in Mission Beach, California, before returning to Kansas. After Wayne's passing in 1943, Imegene moved to Kansas City, Missouri, where she worked at the elegant Dept Store Hartsfelds, managing the Will Call Office and later the Tube Room.

In 1946, Imegene returned to Emporia, where she met and married Dean Marsh, a World War II veteran and Locomotive Engineer at the AT&SF Railroad. Together, they shared a happy life, actively participating in the local Shrine and Shriners Hospital. Dean passed away in 2006.

Imegene was a devoted member of the First Christian Church where she was a member since her early childhood.  She also served for years accounting for the offerings and bank deposits. and was a member of the Social Order of the Beauceant, as well.  She cherished her friendship with Curtis Rhoades, a choir member at the church, until his passing in 2024.

She is survived by her niece Michaela Hammer, nephews Brent Rowlands and Rick Schoeck, and several great nieces and nephews. Imegene was preceded in death by her husbands, parents, brothers, and sister.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at the First Christian Church, 1702 W 15th, Emporia, with burial following at Memorial Lawn Cemetery. Visitation will take place from 9:30 a.m. until service time.  In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the Shriners Hospital can be sent in care of Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home, P.O. Box 175, Emporia, Kansas 66801.