Marlene Krotz

Marlene enjoyed 40 wonderful years with her loving husband and best friend, Keith. With so much love and friendship, even 40 years was not enough time, because they enjoyed each other’s company so much. They shared the love and joy of devoting themselves to raising their son, Karl.

There are many people, especially children, who benefitted from Marlene’s kind and generous nature. She was such a genuine, kind, and giving person, who never hesitated to help anyone who needed it. No matter where she was, kids were always attracted to her. It seemed like whenever we were in a grocery store one could hear a little kid say, “There’s Miss Marlene” and run up and give her a hug. She touched the lives of many children through the years. She leaves behind her “second family” of students and faculty at Golden Terrace Elementary where she was a media assistant.

Marlene enjoyed cooking for family and friends. She was an excellent cook, just like her mother. She lovingly prepared and graciously served hundreds of meals over the years, much to the delight of the recipients. She enjoyed everything from camping in Georgia, spending time in San Diego, riding ATV’s with Karl and Keith, and learning to Jet Ski from Karl, her pride and joy.

Marlene did her part to help find a cure for cancer by enrolling in a clinical trial at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, dealing with immunotherapy, with which she extended her precious life with some positive results.

Marlene was preceded in death by her beloved mother, Mary Helen, father Jack, and brother, Steve.

She leaves behind a devoted family, including her best friend and partner, Keith, and her loving and devoted son, Karl, along with his girlfriend, Megan. Marlene’s brothers and sisters, Jerry, Bob, Roseanne, and Colleen, will cherish their fond memories of her love. Marlene also leaves behind her loving brothers and sister in-laws: Charlene and Terry, Sheila, Belinda, Brenda, Ed and Debbie, her beloved Destiny, and many cherished nephews and nieces.

A Visitation will be held at Hodges Funeral Home at Naples Memorial Gardens on Friday, October 17th (TOMORROW) from 5pm-9pm (525 111th Avenue North, Naples, FL 34108). A Funeral Service will be held at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church on Saturday, October 18th with a 9am Viewing followed by a 9:30am Mass (5225 Golden Gate Parkway, Naples, FL 34116).

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donations for playground equipment in honor of Marlene for Golden Terrace Elementary School, donations payable to: Keith Krotz Account, c/o Suncoast Credit Union, 6801 East Hillsborough Av., P.O. Box 11904, Tampa, FL 33680.