Marlys Joan Bernard, 82, of Hutchinson, died on August 31, 2022, at Hospice House. She was born October 7, 1939, in Little River, to Glenn and Marjorie (Clarke) Stowe.

Marlys moved to Hutchinson in 1958 and graduated from Adela Hale Business College. Her first job was with the county attorney's office in Hutchinson as a legal secretary. Marlys the worked for Dick Rome and Tim Chambers in their private practices. She went back to work in the county / district attorney's office in 1984, as its first full-time diversion coordinator. Marlys was a member of the Kansas Victims Assistance Association and the board of directors for Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Center of Hutchinson, serving as secretary, treasurer, and president. She retired as victim-witness coordinator for the Reno County district attorney's office in 2007, after 23 years.

Marlys was a caring friend. She always sent cards for birthdays, anniversaries, and special occasions. She was also famous for being the "Cookie Queen" of Reno County. Marlys baked cookies for everyone that she loved. Those cards and cookies will be missed.

In 1999, Marlys received an award from the Kansas Coalition Against Sexual & Domestic Violence and the Sexual Assault & Domestic Violence Center of Hutchinson as a "Mother of Our Movement", in recognition of contributions made to lay groundwork for advocates, victims, and survivors. She received the Liberty Bell Award from the Reno County Bar Association in 2000, in recognition of her contribution to the legal profession in Reno County.

Marlys is survived by: her husband of 51 years, Jewell R. Bernard; daughters, Debra J. Gardiner (Greg), Kristi L. Bernard; son, Jewell R. Bernard; sister-in-law, Freddean Stowe; son-in-law, Charles Weible; niece, Krista Smalley; nephew, Chad Stowe; grandchildren, Grant Gardiner (Megan), Brittany Gardiner, Sierra Gardiner, Erika Sutton (Mike), Brandon Bernard (Meagan), Aimee Bernard, Arrin Bernard (Molly), Christopher Bernard; and seven great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by: her father, Glenn Stowe; mother, Marjorie Stowe; brother, Max Stowe; and daughter, Linda Weible.

Celebration of life will be 10 am Thursday, September 8, 2022, at First Congregational Church, Little River. Burial will follow in Bean Cemetery. Friends may call from 9 am to 8 pm Wednesday, with family present from 5 to 7 pm at Elliott Mortuary.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Kansas Organization for Victim Assistance, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.