//cdn.lifestorynet.com/fh/obituary-default.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/fh/obituary-default.jpgObituary
Marilyn Sue Stremler, age 86, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025. God's providential care was evident throughout all of her life. Marilyn Sue Brasser was born on November 7, 1938, in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, to Herbert and Anne Brasser. She attended Sheboygan Christian Grade School and North High School. She made Profession of Faith as a Senior in high school. Always wanting to be a teacher, she attended Calvin College and graduated in 1960 with a BA in Education.
After college, Marilyn took a teaching job at North Christian Grade School in Kalamazoo. She was involved in Calvinettes, sang in the church choir, and helped to teach English to Vietnamese children at North Christian and to adults in "English as a Second Language" at Kalamazoo's Old Central High School.
Marilyn married Clarke DeKryger in 1962, attended Alamo Avenue CRC and later Heritage CRC. Together they had three children: Camilla (Doug) Lenning in 1964, Curt (Lisa) in 1965, and Todd (Jennifer) in 1969. She loved working as a secretary at Kalamazoo Christian High School (24 years!), loved to travel and took five trips to Europe, two trips to Africa, and many trips throughout the United States. Clarke died in May, 2002 of a brain aneurysm. Todd became ill serving as a physician assistant missionary in Togo, West Africa, and died of Lassa Fever on February 26, 2016.
In God's providence, Marilyn became aware that a former friend from Calvin College, Ferrel Stremler's wife had recently passed away. After much prayer, she contacted him, and they renewed their friendship and were married in October 2004. She then became a stepmother to Ann (Doug) Brune, Darrel (deceased 2005) (Judy and Bob Venhousen).
Marilyn is survived by her husband, Ferrel Stremler.
Marilyn was blessed with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Jacob (Karen) Lenning, Elizabeth (Dylan) Burke, Benjamin (Emily) Lenning, Aaron (Peyton) Lenning, Lydia Mei Lenning, Kylie (Quinten)Bader, David DeKryger, Caleb (Ella) DeKryger, William (Natalie) DeKryger, Grant DeKryger, Luke DeKryger, Andrew DeKryger, Katherine (Howie) Dobbs, Daniel Brune, and David, Anneka, Jannette, Juliana, Jonathan Stremler, as well as the Venhousen children. Great-grandchildren: Isaiah and Mason Burke, Raegan Lenning, Ember Bader, and Noah Timm-Lenning, as well as numerous step great grandchildren.
Marilyn is survived by her brothers, Dennis (Mary) Brasser and James (Suki) Brasser. Her in-laws include Winifred (Wayne) Frazee, Jim (Maxine deceased) DeKryger, Jean (Kenneth deceased) Andree, Inez (Donald) Hawes, Becky DeKryger-Maddox (deceased), Harlean (Larry) Stegink, Gretchen (Ed) Feller, Aubin Stremler, Gordon (Marilyn) Stremler, Cheeta (Virgil deceased) Stremler. She had many nieces and nephews.
Friends are welcome to meet the family for visitation from 10AM to 11AM on Monday April 28, 2025, at Heritage Christian Reformed Church, 2857 South 11th Street, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49009. The funeral service will immediately follow visitation at 11AM at church. Family invites everyone to stay for a luncheon following the funeral service. A Private graveside will take place at Grand Prairie Cemetery.
Memorials may be sent to the Kalamazoo Christian Schools, Heritage Christian Reformed Church, or ABWE Hope Patient Care Fund (Hospital of Hope) PO Box 8585 Harrisburg, PA 17105-8585 or give.ABWE.org (designate gift for Hospital of Hope). To view Marilyn's personalized guestbook, please visit