Marilyn Anna Wagenknecht, 91, of East Lansing, passed away at her home, surrounded by family, on Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021. She was born January 6, 1930 in Toledo, OH to Carl and Esther (Hauser) Gable. Marilyn married Dale Wagenknecht on June 22, 1951 at Augsburg Lutheran Church, Toledo and celebrated nearly 68 years of marriage before his passing in 2019.
Marilyn was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Petersburg, MI and University Lutheran Church, East Lansing, MI. A devoted mother, she enjoyed cooking and caring for her family, including preserving garden bounty each year. She also enjoyed bowling, knitting, baking cookies, and visiting with family and friends. Marilyn and Dale shared special trips to Alaska, Australia, and Europe.
Marilyn received her high school diploma from Intercession City Biblical College, Intercession City, Fla. and attended Stautzenberger Business College. She worked at Sealtest Dairy and Toledo Edison before working as a bookkeeper and eventual co-owner of Kahlbaum Brothers Inc. in Carleton, MI, retiring in 1995.
Marilyn is survived by her son Larry (Amy) of Haslett, MI, daughters Brenda (Mick) Wagenknecht-Ivey of Englewood, CO, and Karen (Kurt) Johanknecht of Cranberry Township, PA; grandchildren Bryan (Lindsay) and Jonathan Wagenknecht, and Adam and Sarah Johanknecht; great-granddaughter Anna Wagenknecht; and a sister Carol VanArsdalen of Alverton, Ohio. She was preceded in death by her husband Dale, grandson Jason Wagenknecht and siblings Renelles, Howard, Bernice, Carl, Esther, and Robert.
A funeral will be held at University Lutheran Church, 1020 S. Harrison Ave., E. Lansing, on Tuesday, Aug. 17 at 11 a.m., with visitation starting at 10 a.m. A second visitation is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 18 at Zion Lutheran Church, 7295 Kruse Rd., Petersburg, MI, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. There will be a graveside service at Zion Lutheran Cemetery immediately following. The funeral service will be live streamed at webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/58466 and also will be available to view anytime two hours after the service. For everyone’s safety, masks must be worn for all indoor events (visitations and funeral).
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Jason Charles Wagenknecht Spartan Scholarship (givingto.msu.edu/gift – search “Wagenknecht”), Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church of Summerfield, 7295 Kruse Road, Petersburg, MI 49270, or University Lutheran Church1020 S Harrison Rd, East Lansing, MI 48823. To share memories and condolences please visit www.greastlansing.com.
