Marilyn Kruse

Marilyn Jean McIntosh Kruse, 71, died at home in St. Charles, Missouri, on July 30, 2025. She was born August 9, 1953, in Middletown, Ohio, to Julius and Margery (Spindler) McIntosh. Marilyn grew up in Middletown with her parents and six siblings and was a proud Middletown High School Middie. She married Paul F. Kruse and spent time in Guam and Florida during his Navy years, before settling in Missouri.

Music was always integral to Marilyn’s life, from playing percussion, piano, and violin to singing in choirs. She had fond memories of attending Miami University’s Summer Music Workshop for several summers as a teen. Marilyn graduated with honors from Lindenwood University in 1985 and was an adjunct professor of music there, teaching violin. In St. Charles, she sang in the St. John United Church of Christ chancel choir and often accompanied the choir on violin. She founded a local chamber orchestra and co-founded the St. Charles County Youth Orchestra and played in the St. Louis Philharmonic Orchestra for two decades. For her contribution to the arts, the St. Charles County Arts Council awarded her its first Lifetime Achievement Award.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, by several aunts and uncles, and by beloved niece Alison Shuemake.

She is survived by her husband, Paul Kruse of St. Charles, MO; her children, Heather Robinett (Larry) of Ferguson, MO, Kurt Kruse (Deanna Lee) of St. Charles, MO, and Karen Kruse (Phil Morton) of St. Louis, MO; 11 grandchildren: Amber Pruitt (Scott Hack), Jessica Watts (Billy), Daniel-Chase Pruitt, Benjamin Robinett, Claire Robinett, Jada Lauer (Dillon), Kaleb Kruse, Kane Kruse, Jasey Lee Adkinson, Liam Kruse, and Isaiah Kruse; 2 great-grandchildren, Jamie and Allie Mae Watts; her siblings, Susan Lewis of Menlo Park, CA, Bill McIntosh (Barbara) of Williamsburg, VA, David McIntosh of Boston, MA, Barbara Webb (David) of Emmaus, PA, Dorothy Shuemake (Fred) of Middletown, OH, and Bob McIntosh, also of Middletown; one aunt, Dickylee Spindler of Davenport, IA; and many devoted cousins and beloved nieces and nephews.

Funeral service will be at Baue Funeral Home, 3950 W. Clay St. Charles, MO, at 12:00 noon on Saturday, August 16, 2025, with burial immediately following.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial gift to the St. Charles County Youth Orchestra or the Humane Society of Missouri in St. Louis.