Marcella Ruth (Bare) Diller, 100, died March 27, 2026, at Schowalter Villa in Hesston, Kan. She was born Nov. 15, 1925, to Joseph Harlan and Ida Elnora (Bauer) Bare in Harper, Kan.

She attended Harper public schools, graduating with the high school class of 1943. She attended Hesston College in 1943-44, earning an emergency teaching certificate. She met J. Robert Diller at Pleasant Valley Mennonite Church east of Harper, where she was a member. They were married July 28, 1946, and lived in Harper until November 1947, when they moved to Hesston.

Bob and Marcella were blessed with three sons and two daughters. Marcella was a stay-at-home mom until their youngest child was in late elementary school. At that time, she began part-time work at Country Gardens, the local flower shop, where she enjoyed working for 15 years.  

In addition to caring for their children and attending their activities, she enjoyed flower gardening and music, using those hobbies in various ways at Hesston Mennonite Church, where she was a member. She was a charter member of the Hesston Garden Club, organized and directed the Hesston Area Singin’ Seniors for five years and was a member of the Newton Christian Women’s Club. 

Survivors include her five children and their families: Mel and Norma Diller of Hesston (Aaron and Ronda Diller, Zane Harder; Mark, Denise, Kyle and Ryan Diller); Marlin and Kathy Diller of Peoria, Ariz. (Amanda, Thomas, Zoe and Silas Shows; JR, Chantel, Brynlee, Everlee and Carson Diller); DeAnn Diller of Newton; Rod and Gwen Diller of Goshen, Ind. (John, Sara, James and Wesley Diller; Matt, Ellie and Ethan Diller); and Darlene and Chuck Buller of Hesston (Craig, Caitlyn and Crosby Buller; Karl, Emmali, Talia and Asher Buller). Also surviving are brother-in-law and sister-in-law Eugene and Donna Diller.

Preceding in death were her husband, Bob; brother Olin Bare; sister Olive Bare and brother and sister-in-law Ivan and Ardis Bare.