Marjorie Anita Hemphill, 86, passed away on July 9, 2026, at her home, surrounded by family, after a battle with cancer.

Marjorie, “Marge” to those who knew her, was born on July 22, 1939, in Pratt, Kansas, to Ivan and Melva Adams of Cullison, Kansas. She was one of five children and shared a special bond with her twin sister, Margaret. Twins seemed to run in the family—with twin aunts, twin cousins, twin grandsons, and twin great-nephews—a connection that always brought her joy.

Marge attended school in Cullison and graduated from Cullison High School in 1957.

On June 15, 1958, Marge married Loren Hemphill, beginning an incredible 68-year marriage. In their early years together, while Loren was working on his degree at Fort Hays State University, she worked at the Fort Hays Experiment Station to help fund his education. The couple moved to Plainville in 1961, where Marge became a familiar face in the local business community, doing bookkeeping and secretarial work for various businesses in the area.

Together, they built a wonderful life and a family of four children: Troy (Suzanne) Hemphill of Wamego, Tonya (David) McGough of Topeka, Tyler Hemphill of Plainville, and Tricia Hemphill (Dylan Wyatt) of Codell. Marge was the proud grandmother of fifteen and great-grandmother of six, with another great-grandchild expected in October.

Other than her family, nothing brought Marge more joy than watching sports. She earned what the family affectionately called "permanent bleacher butt” over the many years she spent as a spectator. As the wife of a coach, she spent countless hours in the bleachers cheering for the Plainville Cardinals while occasionally offering helpful pointers to the referees or umpires. As her children and then grandchildren became involved in school activities, Marge attended as many events as she could; whether it was a basketball game, a theatrical production, or a band concert, she loved them all.

Marge was also a loyal fan of KU basketball, Kansas State football, and the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals. She became legendary for winning NCAA basketball tournament brackets due to her many hours of “research” from her easy chair. If a college basketball game were being played on TV, Marge would almost certainly be watching.

Marge faced her illness with the same strength and determination she had shown throughout her life, from her years as a young girl on the family farm to her life as a wife, mother, and grandmother. She shared many times during her battle that she was not afraid to die because of her deep Christian faith. While she was sad to leave her family, she looked forward with peace to seeing her parents and other loved ones in heaven.

Marge was preceded in death by her parents, Ivan and Melva Adams; her twin sister, Margaret Grieving; and her grandson, Aaron Hemphill.

She is survived by her husband, Loren, of the home; her brother, Dwight Adams; and sisters Ida Marie (Bud) Grimes of Pratt and Marlene (Tom) Whitaker of Clearwater.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, July 16, 2026, at the United Methodist Church in Plainville at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow at the Plainville Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Wednesday at Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home from 6:00–8:00 p.m.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Rooks County Health Center, HaysMed Hospice, or the Plainville United Methodist Church.