Denise Marie Morrow

Denise Marie Morrow, 67, of Towanda, Kansas, passed away at home on Friday, March 20, 2026, after a courageous battle with cancer.

She was born October 14, 1958 in Topeka, Kansas, the daughter of Bill and Norma Burton. Denise graduated from Highland Park High School in 1976.

Denise had worked at Capital City Bank in Topeka, American Red Cross in Wichita, J.P. Weigand in Andover, and Money Town Pawn Shop in Wichita.

Denise was a talented artist, seamstress and decorator. She loved working outside in her flower garden and her vegetable garden, and being on the tractor mowing the yard.

Denise met Mark at a realtors Christmas party in December 2001. A short year later Denise married Mark Morrow, the love of her life, on November 16, 2002. Together they built a home, a life, and a story with each other. On occasions (as much as possible) they liked to get away and go to Beaver Lake in Arkansas, to go fishing and just to be out on the lake in the boat enjoying each other and the serenity.

On a couple different occasions Ashley and Zach and grandchildren moved back home with them while they were going thru some difficult times. And that was OK with Nana and Papa, because we didn’t have to go far to see the grandbabies. Her children and grandchildren were one of her greatest joys in her life.

She is survived by her husband, Mark Morrow; daughter Ashley Ayers; son Zach and daughter-in-law Caitlin Ayers; grandchildren Lyric, Tayten, Wyatt, Finlee and Liberty; mother Norma Burton; mother-in-law Cathy Ashley; sisters Kim (Todd) Hillrichs, Lynne (Frank) Hargraves, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her father Bill Burton, father-in-law Jim Ashley, and paternal and maternal grandparents.

A visitation will be held 5-7pm Wednesday, April 1, 2026 at Smith Mortuary in Derby, Kansas. A Memorial Services will be held 11:00am Thursday, April 2, at Hope Community Church, 1831 East 21st, Andover, Kansas. A Celebration of Life has been planned 11:30am Saturday, April 11, 2026 at Topeka Bible Church in Topeka, Kansas.

The family would like to say “Thank you” to Wesley Hospital, Wesley Rehab, and to Phoenix Hospice Care.