Marilyn Ruth Kelso

Marilyn Ruth Kelso, age 93, passed away Thursday, March 26, 2026, at her residence. She was born in North Tonawanda, NY, March 10, 1933, to Thomas and Irene (Nee: Schumacher) Schulz.

Marilyn graduated from North Tonawanda High School in 1950 and went on to attend Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, Indiana where she graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology.

During her student years, Marilyn served summer field work at a “receiving home” in West Roxbury, Massachusetts and at the Children’s Home in Addison, Illinois. Marilyn was consecrated as a Lutheran Deaconess on June 13, 1954, and was called to serve at the Bethesda Lutheran Home in Watertown, Wisconsin, teaching residents and serving as a night nurse. While at Bethesda, she met teacher Harry C. Kelso, Jr., whom she married March 5, 1955. They raised four children in Eagle Lake Manor, Kansasville, WI.

In 1960, Marilyn enrolled in the Social Work Program at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee graduating with her Master’s Degree. She found employment as a medical social worker at the Southern Wisconsin Center for the Developmentally Disable in Union Grove, WI where her husband Harry also worked.

After Marilyn and Harry retired, they became “snowbirds”. They enjoyed traveling and had a second residence in Florida.

Marilyn was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Cudahy. She was also an active member of the Lutheran Diaconal Association, the Lutheran Deaconess Conference and the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League.

She enjoyed traveling, reading, playing cards, puzzles, and board games. Above all she treasured the time spent with her family and enjoyed being the family matriarch. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and great great grandmother who will be dearly missed.

Surviving are her children, Sheryl Redmond, Keith Kelso, and Renee Kelso; 11 grandchildren; 27 great grandchildren; 7 great great grandchildren; other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, her sister, Dawn Davenport, and her daughter, Michele Swenson.

A celebration of Marilyn’s life will be held at the Maresh-Meredith and Acklam Funeral Home, 803 Main St, Saturday April 18, 2026, 11 am. Relatives and friends may meet prior to the service 10 am until 11 am.

In lieu of flowers, the family recommends memorials to Breast Cancer Awareness or Lutheran Diaconal Association.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the staff/volunteers of Hospice Alliance and Pleasant Point Assisted Living.