Marlene Lorraine Kuenn

Marlene Lorraine Frederick Kuenn. June 20, 1931 – August 4, 2016.
Marl to her loving parents Erwin and Edna Frederick, brothers Fred, Skip, and Roger, and sisters Karen and Terrylynn.
Marlie to her loving and devoted husband Walter.
Mom to her children Timothy and Kari Lynn.
Grandma to her grandchildren Andrew and Christopher.
And Lifesaver to the many dogs, cats, lizards, hamsters, and mice that she raised and rescued over the years.

Marlene Lorraine Frederick Kuenn was born June 20th, 1931 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the oldest daughter of Erwin and Edna Frederick. She was an avid reader, lover of horses and dogs, swimmer, and writer. She completed her high school education at Bay View High School in Milwaukee. She always wanted to be a veterinarian, but life circumstances lead her to banking instead. During the winter of 1960, Marlene met Walter. They had their first date at the 1960 Rose Bowl. It was so cold they shared their one pair of gloves. He proposed on her birthday and they were married on October 7th, 1960 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Hollywood where she was a Sunday school teacher. On November 6th, 1961, their son Timothy was born, and thirteen months later, on December 8th, 1962, their daughter Kari Lynn was born. After moving around a bit, including going back to Wisconsin, they eventually settled in the family home in Arleta, California, in November, 1967. After many years of family life, she died in her home peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, on August 4th, 2016, at 9:35 pm.

Marlene lived a life of service. She joined the Civil Air Patrol at the age of 13. At the age of 18, just after graduation from Bay View High School, her mother passed away. Instead of pursuing her dream of becoming a veterinarian, she stayed at home and helped her father raise her younger siblings while working at night. She was always an active member in her local Lutheran Church. Walter and Marlene became members of First Lutheran Church of Van Nuys in 1967. Once Timothy and Kari Lynn were in school at First Lutheran Day School, she served as room mother, librarian, hot lunch supervisor, and eventually church secretary. She retired from her job as church secretary after many years of dedicated service. She remained active on the Alter Guild and the Board until her health would no longer permit. She was also of service in her neighborhood. She rescued many stray dogs and cats, taking them to the vet, feeding them, and loving them. Although she never formally became a veterinarian, she was that and more to her animals.

Marlene also had a fun and adventurous side. Her dream car? A Ford Mustang. She loved the water, and was always ready to take a swim. She loved a good mystery novel, but always had it solved before the end. You could never outwit her. She loved her husband, she loved her children, and she adored her grandchildren. Family was the most important thing to Marlene always. Her animals were an extension of that family, and she loved them all to the end.

Marlene Frederick Kuenn is survived by her husband Walter Kuenn, her sisters Karen Frederick and Terrylynn Frederick, her son Timothy Kuenn and wife Kim Peppi Kuenn, her daughter Kari Kuenn Kassir and husband Anthony Kassir, and her two grandsons, Andrew and Christopher Kassir.

She was loved, she is loved, and she will be forever missed. Rest in peace.