Marilyn J. Vranicar

Marilyn Jolane Vranicar, 78, of Overland Park, passed away on March 16, 2026.

A native of Kansas City, Kansas, Marilyn was born on February 25, 1948, to Louise and John Vrbenec. The youngest of four children, she lived in KCK throughout her childhood, attending Washington High School and Donnelly College before earning a degree in journalism from the University of Kansas.

Marilyn met her husband, Greg Vranicar, in 1980. They were married in 1982 and had two children, Mark and David. Marilyn and Greg were happily married for 39 years before Greg passed in 2021.

Marilyn had a career in retail and advertising and as a paraprofessional in the Shawnee Mission School District, including 20 years supporting the gifted program at Shawnee Mission South High School.

While not a musician herself, Marilyn had sterling music credentials. She and Greg constantly had jazz buzzing in their Overland Park home, and they spent countless nights watching jazz together at venues around Kansas City. Marilyn continued enjoying live jazz until the end of her life.

Marilyn was an avid traveler. Her passport included stamps from China and countries throughout Europe.

A lifelong Catholic, Marilyn first met Greg at St Francis Xavier Church, in Kansas City, Missouri, and later attended Mass and discussion groups at Curé of Ars in Leawood, Kansas.

Marilyn enjoyed watching sports, from her boys’ little league games to her beloved Jayhawks. She had the distinction of having attended the longest game ever for both the Chiefs, on Christmas Day 1971, and the Royals, an 18-inning affair in 1991.

Marilyn read the Kansas City Star daily, with a particular focus on obituaries. She would clip obits of friends, acquaintances, and people with interesting names and put them on her refrigerator. Pinning this obit to your fridge would be an excellent way to honor her.

Marilyn will be remembered lovingly by her son Mark, daughter-in-law Qian, and grandson Anderson, of Westwood Hills, KS; and her son David, daughter-in-law Lea, granddaughter Caia, and grandson Joni, of Potsdam, Germany.

Marilyn is survived by her sister Connie Stewart and her husband Ken of Lee’s Summit, MO; and her brother Norm and his wife Cheri of Edmond, OK. She was preceded in death by her older brother, John.

Marilyn’s funeral service will be held on Friday, April 17, at Curé of Ars Catholic Church, 9401 Mission Rd, Leawood, KS. Visitation will be at 9:30, followed by Mass at 10:30. In lieu of flowers, donations to KCUR (kcur.org) or your local NPR station are encouraged.