Marlene Janette (Palmer) Kinne

Marlene Janette (Palmer) Kinne, 90, of Battle Creek, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Tuesday, October 3, 2023. She passed away after withstanding a lengthy illness, which slowed her down, but it did not stop her. She handled it with her usual positive attitude.

Marlene was the firstborn of Fred and Lucille (French) Palmer on August 22, 1933 in Marshall, Michigan. She was the older sister to Ruth and Fred Jr. (Sonny). She graduated from Marshall High School in 1952 after being involved in the Girls Athletic Association (GAA) and Future Homemakers of America (FHA).

During her first marriage to Donald Tech in 1953, they lived in Kalamazoo and welcomed their children, John and Amy. They then moved to Red Hook, New York and had their third child, Mary. She enjoyed being a homemaker and stay-at-home mom. She made many close friends in Red Hook that remained life-long friends with many good memories.

After her marriage ended in divorce, she moved back to her hometown of Marshall with her children. Marlene worked as a secretary at Albion College, Warren-Sherer, and Sherer Gillett for several years while raising her children. She was then hired by the Calhoun Intermediate School District as Administrative Assistant at the Doris Klaussen Developmental Center in Battle Creek. Marlene always had  a soft-spot for helping others and connecting with people.

In 1990, Marlene reconnected with Rodney (Skip) Kinne at an American Legion dance. They immediately realized they knew each other from high school and had graduated together. They were inseparable from that day on and were married on November 30, 1990. They enjoyed many activities together over the next almost 33 years.

After she retired from Doris Klaussen in 1998, Marlene and Rodney traveled the country, visiting many states to see family, friends and attractions. They enjoyed traveling south for the winters, living at their trailer in Twin Palms in Lakeland, Florida. They also wintered in Texas and Arizona, making friends wherever they went. Marlene also enjoyed traveling on excursions with her mother in retirement.

In the last five years, Marlene survived many challenges to her health, but always had a passion for life and for her Savior. She attended the United Methodist Church in Marshall with her family when she was young and was a very active member in her church when she was in New York, teaching Sunday School and serving where needed. When she moved back to Marshall, she resumed worshiping at the United Methodist Church. After she met Rodney, she started attending Christ Lutheran Church with him and was active in the Children’s Ministry, serving faithfully at their Vacation Bible School for the last 25 years. She loved being of service to others and had a strong faith. She lived her faith every day.

Marlene enjoyed everything! She lived her life to the fullest. Whether it was attending the Marshall Home Tour, strawberry (or blueberry, peach, apple…) picking, Cedar Point trips (with her children, then grandchildren, then great-grandchildren) or going on long road trips with her daughter, Mary & her family (like the Grand Canyon trip or the Boston trip), she was up for anything and rarely said ‘no’. Amongst many other things, she had a life-long love of reading, flower gardening, traveling, bowling, cooking, canning, baking, and shopping!

The thing Marlene loved the most in life was her family. Each child and grandchild was very special to her, but the great-grandchildren were the icing on the cake for her. She cherished each one and had a special connection with them. Over the years, she attended and supported her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren at their activities, sporting events, and family birthday parties, whenever possible.  Along with her children and grandchildren missing her tremendously, the ‘greats’ will miss her smiles, her hugs, her cookies, and letting them have ice cream before dinner.

Along with Rodney, Marlene volunteered her time serving others through Meals on Wheels, Safe Place, Haven of Rest, Fredonia Grange, the American Red Cross, and for other groups. She also worked as an Oaklawn Auxiliary volunteer in their Gift Shop. She loved animals, adopting many cats throughout the years.

Marlene is survived by her loving husband of 32 years, Rodney Kinne; sister, Ruth (Don) St. John, brother Fred (Demaris) Palmer Jr., and sisters-in-law/brothers-in-law, Bonnie & John Bidwell, Paddy & Darrell Pifer, Peggy Kinne, & Mary LaFountain. Additionally, she is survived by her children: John (Kristi) Tech, Amy (Kevin) Darscheid, and Mary A. Murphy; and her grandchildren: John Tech Jr., Danielle (Jason) Sackett, Michael (Amy) Bocanegra, Lora (Ted) Finch, Diane (Jayme) Biljum, Daniel (Rayna) Sommers, Angela Sommers [Sopheaktra (Michael) Meng], Andrew (Kristen) Sommers, and Matthew Murphy. She also is survived by many great-grandchildren: Matthew Tech, Ashley Tech, Austin Sackett, Logan Sackett, Alex Finch, Lucas Finch, Allison Biljum, Emily Biljum, Jack Biljum, Hailey Shepherd, Molly Sommers, Stacy Sommers, Ellie Sopheaktra, Louis Sopheaktra, Kevin Sommers, and Macey Murphy. She is also survived by many loved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Marlene was preceded in death by her parents, Fred Sr. & Lucille Palmer, brothers-in-law Ronald Kinne & Romer "Mickey" Kinne, and many cherished grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, & brothers/sisters-in-law.

Visitation will take place on Wednesday, October 11, 2023 from 10-11am at Christ Lutheran Church, 440 West Dr N, Marshall, Michigan 49068. A funeral service will take place after visitation at 11am with Rev. David Moran officiating. Burial will follow the funeral service at West Eckford Cemetery. A luncheon will take place immediately following the burial. Everyone is welcomed and encouraged to come back to the church for lunch, as Marlene would have insisted.

Memorial contributions can be made in Marlene’s honor to Christ Lutheran Church, Safe Place, or the Make-a-Wish Foundation. Envelopes will be available at the visitation/funeral. And/or you are encouraged to make a donation in Marlene’s honor to a worthy organization you feel God is calling you to support, as she would want you to do.

Arrangements were entrusted to Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services, 723 US Hwy 27 N, Marshall, Michigan 49068. Please visit https://www.kempffuneralhome.com to view the online obituary, to sign the online guestbook, or to leave the family condolences.