Marilyn Sue (Bachofer) Vaupel
Marilyn Sue (Bachofer) Vaupel, 73, of Salina, Kansas, entered into eternal peace on December 11, 2025. She was born July 16, 1952, at St. John’s Hospital in Salina to William and Virginia (Parker) Bachofer.
Marilyn graduated from Sacred Heart Junior-Senior High School in 1970 and Brown Mackie School of Business in 1972.
On July 1, 1972, Marilyn married the love of her life, William “Bill” Vaupel, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Salina. She joined Bill in Russell, Kansas, where they made their home for seven years.
She began her career with the Russell County Welfare Department. When they returned to Salina in 1979, Marilyn joined the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services. During her 32-year career with SRS, she served with dedication and integrity, retiring in 2007 as a quality assurance reviewer.
The couple had two children, Andrew and Jennifer. Marilyn loved being an active part of their lives, especially cheering them on at school and sporting events.
In retirement, Marilyn was able to devote more time to genealogy research, both for her own family and for others by volunteering at the Smoky Valley Genealogical Society. She also was a dedicated contributor to the online cemetery service Find a Grave, traveling around the state to photograph headstones and record burial information on more than 8,000 people.
Together, Bill and Marilyn enjoyed many travels, especially to Arizona for Spring Training baseball and to the beautiful and peaceful Sedona. She was a fan of the Kansas City Royals and KU Jayhawks basketball.
Marilyn also loved collecting items featuring the word “peace,” a reflection of her gentle spirit.
Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, William and Virginia Bachofer; brother, Joseph Bachofer; and sister, Patricia (Bachofer) Dube.
She is survived by her husband, Bill Vaupel, of the home; daughter, Jenny Vaupel of Lenexa; son, Andrew Vaupel, and daughter-in-law, Barbara, of Overland Park; and sister, Judith “Judy” (Bachofer) True of Lawrence.
Visitation will be held at Ryan Mortuary on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, from 5 to 8 p.m., with family present from 6 to 8 p.m.
A funeral service will be 10 a.m. Thursday, December 18, 2025 at Ryan Mortuary, 137 N 8th St. Salina, KS. With burial to follow at Gypsum Hill Cemetery, 2020 E Iron Ave, Salina, KS.
Marilyn’s family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks to Interim HealthCare for their compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Emergency Aid Food Bank or the Smoky Valley Genealogical Society.
