Marjorie A. Franklin

Marjorie A. Franklin, 75, long-time resident of Prairie Village, passed away unexpectedly February 1, 2011, in Overland Park, Kan. Born May 15, 1935, in Hays, Kan., she was the daughter of the late William and Nancy Heard. Marge earned a B.S. degree from the University of Kansas in 1956, the first woman to graduate from the aeronautical (aerospace) engineering program. She served in numerous leadership roles during her time as a student there, including president of Mortar Board and editor of the Kansas Engineer. She was also the first woman in the United States to be initiated into the Sigma Tau engineering honor society. She continued to express her deep appreciation for her KU education by serving on several boards, especially the Engineering Advisory Board. She was a strong and supportive advocate encouraging other women to pursue engineering as a career. To honor her many educational and professional achievements, she was awarded the KU Engineering 2003 Distinguished Engineering Service Award. As co-owner of Franklin Associates in Prairie Village, she became internationally respected for her expertise in the field of municipal solid waste and material flows methodology, as well as for her leadership positions in various professional societies. She was an active member of Asbury United Methodist Church for many years. In recent years, she devoted considerable time and effort to genealogical research, producing a thoroughly-researched volume of her family history as an enduring legacy for future generations.

A devoted wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, and great-grandmother, bereaved survivors include her husband, William E. Franklin; her sister, Carolyn Berg and husband Kris; a son, Mark and wife Elizabeth; a daughter, Janice Wilson and husband Philip; four grandchildren, Barbara, Charles, James and Doug; seven great-grandchildren, and many other relatives and friends who will miss her deeply.

Memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 5, at Asbury United Methodist Church, 5400 W. 75th St., Prairie Village. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 4, at McGilley & Hoge Johnson County Memorial Chapel, 8024 Santa Fe Drive, Overland Park. Inurnment will be at Corinth Cemetery, Leawood, Kan., at a later date. Please offer condolences at mcgilleyhogememorialchapel.com.

In honor of her lifelong dedication to engineering, and in lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the KU School of Engineering to support women studying engineering. Please send gifts to: KU Endowment, PO Box 928, Lawrence, KS 66044. Please note: Marge Franklin Fund. You can also contribute online at www.kuendowment.org/givenow.