Marla was born on August 21st, 1939, to Lee Miller and Maybelle Malcom in Cherokee Iowa, After Marla graduated from Washington High School in 1957, then pursued a degree in English at Wayne State Teachers College. She met Dennis Duane Manske while she was employed as a high school English teacher. Dennis and Marla were married, and she began her life as a stay-at-home mom.
Dennis and Marla moved to Minneapolis, Kansas City, and then eventually to Lenexa, Kansas where they were both actively involved in supporting the growing Lenexa Community. During her time in Lenexa, Marla served as a member of the Lenexa Parks and Recreation Board, The Lenexa Arts Council, the Lenexa Historical Society, and eventually served as Lenexa City Councilmember.
In 1988, Marla married Gregory Mark Hembree, and the couple moved to Northern Virginia to follow Greg in his career as City Planner for the Town of Vienna, Virginia. Greg passed in 2014, and Marla moved back to the Kansas City area to afford greater opportunities to spend time with her children and grandchildren.
Marla was predeceased by her mother and father, her sister Barbara Hervey, and her husband, Gregory Mark Hembree. She is survived by her sister Pat Thomason, her son Quentin Karl Manske and his wife, Karen Manske. Her son Lee Bret Manske and his wife, Jennifer Manske. Her son, Kurt Allen Manske, and her stepson, Steven Hembree and his wife, Mary Hembree.
Marla is survived by several grandchildren as well, and her love for Christmas showed every year celebrating with Madeline Manske, Jack Manske, Taylor Manske, Kieran Manske, and Jesse Stephenson.
A Visitation for Marla will be held Monday, January 8, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Mt. Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, MO 64131. Following the visitation will be a Celebration of Life Funeral Service at 11:00 AM. Burial will take place that afternoon at Mt. Sidney Cemetery in Linwood, Kansas.
