Marlene was born on May 26th, 1934, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Charles Rudolph and Tillie Reeble. She spent her childhood years in Topeka, Kansas, Joplin, Missouri, and Kansas City. She attended J. C. Nichols Elementary School and graduated from Southwest High School in 1952. Marlene attended the University of Missouri, where she was a member of Delta Gamma Sorority. She graduated from Kansas City University with a Degree in Vocal & Instrumental Music.
Marlene married Bill Wesemann on December 22, 1956. Together they raised five children; Wendy Smith (Gregg), Rick Wesemann, Martin Wesemann (Natalie), Stacy Oetting, and Stephanie Thompson (Brian). She is the proud grandma to 11 grandchildren; Matthew Smith (Megan), Jana Tenbrink (Ryan), Tanner Smith (Danielle), Nell Sandring Wesemann, Jonah Sandring Wesemann, Max Wesemann (Nivi), Jacob Wesemann (Diego), Lucas Wesemann, Peter Oetting, Sam Oetting and Scott Thompson; and to 8 great-grandchildren; Gavin Smith, Graham Smith, Lauren Tenbrink, Annie Tenbrink, Cara Tenbrink, Hunter Smith, Harper Smith and Kasi Wesemann.
Marlene was preceded in death by her parents, Rudy and Tillie, and her daughter, Stephanie.
Marlene was a gifted musician. She sang, played piano, directed choirs, taught in the KC Public School System, and provided personal voice lessons in her home. Among her many accomplishments were: She performed with the Kansas City Lyric Opera for many years, singing in Marriage of Figarro, Carmen, and The Medium. She was one of 4 winners of the Kansas City District of the Metropolitan Opera regional auditions in February 1967. She was a soloist in the Messiah at the many locations in the Kansas City area, including the RLDS Auditorium and The Unity Temple. She was a soloist with the St. Joseph Symphony and KC Symphony.
Marlene began her 35 year career as a paid Soloist at Independence Boulevard Christian Church. She later stepped into the role as Director of Music at IBCC, forming lasting relationships with all ages. Marlene directed the junior, youth, and adult choirs. She directed musical shows for various church programs, one of which was “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown”. During this time, she also directed the Kansas City Life Insurance choir.
Later in life, she became the night club pianist at Maggie Jones Restaurant in Kansas City, where she played for and accompanied many students from the UMKC Conservatory of Music and other performers from all over the Kansas City area.
Marlene became a licensed Realtor with Jay Realtors, Cavanaugh & Associates, then Reese Nichols Company, and really enjoyed matching families with their new homes.
She enjoyed reading books, always checking them out from the local library to save a penny. Marlene also loved to cross stitch and knit and made gifts to memorialize the big events in the lives of family and friends, including marriages and Christmas stockings for the grandchildren.
A visitation will be held on Friday, August 21st from 9:30 to 11:00 AM at Mt. Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, MO 64131, with funeral services to follow promptly at 11:00 AM with Rev. Don Bordenaro officiating. Interment will follow directly after the memorial service. A light lunch will be served at 12:30 PM for anyone who would like to join us.
Memorial donations can be made to: Delta Gamma Fraternity, 3250 Riverside Dr, Columbus, OH 43221, in honor of Marlene Lou Reeble Wesemann.
