Marlene Maaike Kruger Coulsey was born November 17, 1950 to Alma Kruger and Hilda Kramer Kruger in Salt Lake City, UT. After a valiant battle with Alzheimer's, our loving wife, mother, grandma, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend returned to her heavenly home on June 9, 2024.
Family was the most important thing in her life, along with the gospel of Jesus Christ. She is the third of 11 kids. The love for her mom, dad, brothers, and sisters was apparent and she spoke of them often, especially in recent years. She loved them and missed not having them close by.
This love for family grew when she attended Utah State University and met her eternal companion, Bruce Coulsey. They were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on June 8, 1973. Their family quickly grew as they welcomed 8 kids in 8 years. Marlene loved being a mom. She inherited a great sense of humor and love of practical jokes from her dad. She was always up for a good joke. She had a talent for sewing and loved to make things for her kids and grandkids.
Her love for family only grew as each of her 26 grandkids joined the family. She loved each of them so much. Marlene served in many organizations in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, but her favorite position and place to be was in primary with the kids where she could sing her heart out. She loved primary music. While living in Utah, Bruce and Marlene also worked in the Jordan River Temple together for almost 6 years.
Being around people and kids brought her joy. One of her greatest gifts was to be a nurturer to everyone around her. There was no sacrifice too big. She was always making sure everyone was okay, even to the end. Just a few short weeks before her passing, she looked at her daughter Karen and said, "I just need to know you'll be okay". Bruce and Karen both felt that Marlene knew her time was coming to an end.
We would like to thank the Howe primary for welcoming her into primary every Sunday for as long as she was able. She had a strong testimony and loved to share it any opportunity she could. Primary music was a way she shared her testimony. We would also like to thank Brio Home Health and Hospice for the exceptional care and kindness they showed our mom.
Marlene is survived by her eternal companion, Bruce; kids Rebecca (Mark)Brownell, Abe Coulsey, Marlaina (Derrick) Simon, Sam Coulsey, Rex (Mandy) Coulsey, Heidi (James) Daines, Karen (Jaymon) Knight; 26 grandkids; 9 brothers and sisters and their spouses; Bruce's two sisters and their spouses, and many nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her son Lorenzo, her mom and dad, Bruce's parents, sister Lorraine, brother-in-law Gene, and sister-in-law Leslie
Funeral services will be held Friday, June 14, 2024 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Howe, Idaho. A viewing will begin one hour prior, at noon. Interment will be at the Howe cemetery under the care of the Anderson Family Funeral Home.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/marlene-coulsey-obituary?id=55312061