Marilyn Kraus Spletzer

Marilyn Florence Spletzer, 89, of Twin Lakes Community in Burlington, North Carolina, passed away on February 24, 2024, due to Congestive Heart Failure.

Marilyn was born on September 17, 1934, to William and Elsie Kraus in Queens, New York. She enjoyed frequent trips to the ice cream parlor (Krisch’s), attending opera, and spending time with her beloved dog, Skippy.

She attended Queens College, earning her B.S. in Nursing, and Columbia Presbyterian Hospital where Marilyn received her license as a Registered Nurse. While at Queens College, she joined a Sorority and attended dances at the USO. Her attendance did not escape the attention of the tall servicemen, Carl from Chicago. One dance and he was hooked. Being a poor GI translated to dates walking across the George Washington Bridge, grabbing coffee, and walking back. They dated for two years, mostly through letter writing, and got engaged on the GW bridge. They were married on August 24, 1957.

Marilyn and Carl moved to Illinois, where Carl went to the University of Illinois on the GI bill and earned a Business degree. Marilyn worked at a local hospital in Pediatrics. After completing the degree they moved back to New York which brought them closer to Marilyn’s family. Not long after they started their own family with the addition of Karen, Robert, and Joy. After working several years on Long Island as a Called Missouri Synod Lutheran school teacher, Carl felt a calling to the ministry. The family moved to Springfield, Illinois where he attended Concordia Theological Seminary. Marilyn worked in nursing while Carl earned a Masters of Divinity degree and became a Missouri Synod Lutheran Pastor.

The Spletzers followed Carl’s vocation as a pastor, moving from Illinois to Sheboygan, Wisconsin, back to Springfield, Illinois, down to Bogalusa, Louisiana, up to Gowanda, New York, and down to Scranton, Pennsylvania. Marilyn continued her career as a Registered Nurse by serving in Obstetrics, a physician’s clinic, a large rehabilitation center, and as a Nursing teacher in two different venues.

Marilyn enjoyed singing in the Church choir, playing organ and guitar, tole painting, and participating in and leading Bible study. She and Carl took the kids camping every chance they got, visiting KOA campgrounds up and down the East Coast. When William and Elsie Kraus moved to Clearwater, Florida, vacations were spent with their loving grandparents, at Clearwater beach, and of course Walt Disney World.

In 1990, Marilyn moved to Maryland to be closer to daughter Karen after Carl died from a sudden heart attack. Nursing opportunities continued, and she worked in a nursing home, a day care center, and as a parish nurse for her Church, St. Paul’s Lutheran in Glen Burnie, MD. Her last move was to the Twin Lakes Retirement Community, where she continued her passion for crafts, participating in Bible study, helping others and delighting in family visits. Wherever she lived, Marilyn became part of a Church community.

She is survived by her daughter Karen Haynes (Brian), son Robert Spletzer (Valerie), and daughter Joy Corona (Brian). Following in their parents' footsteps, all got engaged on a bridge.

Marilyn’s grandchildren include Alex Haynes, Justin Haynes (Naomi), Cassie Brown (Koda), Carl Corona, and Lydia Corona. They were each a special blessing in Marilyn’s life.

A viewing and funeral service will be held at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 238 Reese St., Scranton, PA starting at 10 AM on March 5, 2024. Her final resting place will be next to her beloved husband Carl at Evergreen Cemetery at 129-199 Margaret Street, Scranton, PA.

John 11:25: "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live."