Marilyn Ann (Marquardt) Crane

Marilyn A. Crane passed away on Thursday, July 14, 2022 at Lutheran Hillside Village after a brief illness. She was born in Chicago on March 13, 1930 to George and Erna (Millies) Marquardt. Marilyn earned her Bachelor degree from Roosevelt University, and later her PhD from Purdue University. She spent a long career in scientific research, including work at Argonne National Laboratory and Purdue University. She also spent two years on a research sabbatical at the University of Heidelburg, Germany.

Marilyn was briefly married to Samual G. Williams, and they had one daughter. In 1982, she married Dr. Frederick L. Crane in Lafayette, IN. She and Fred enjoyed 34 years of marriage, sharing their interest in science and traveling extensively over the years. She and Fred retired to Germantown Hills in 1994, and he preceded her in death in August, 2016.

Marilyn was a very devoted mother, providing a loving and joyful home and being a strong and positive role model for her daughter and eventual granddaughter. She was a hard worker, an avid reader and a firm believer in higher education, with an optimistic spirit and good sense of humor. She was very happy to expand her family after marrying Fred, through his children and eventual grandchildren, enjoying all as they grew, married, and began having their own children.

Marilyn's parents and brother Glenn Marquardt preceded her in death, as did Fred's children Tom, Eleanor, and Richard Crane. She is survived by her daughter Lilli (Walt) Davis and granddaughter Melanie Davis-Campbell (Ben). She also is survived by Fred's family members: daughter Kathy (Jim) Teske, grandchildren Brian (Melissa) Teske and sons, Eric (Chris) Teske, and Karin Teske; daughter-in-law Sherry Crane, grandchildren Kevin (Stephanie) Crane and sons, Ryan (Meredith) Crane and son, and Chelsea (Joe) DeMarre and son. Marilyn is also survived by her sister-in-law Mary Jean Marquardt, and her niece Kathy (John) Dudek and nephew Brian Marquardt.

The family thanks the excellent staff at Lutheran Hillside Village for their compassionate and expert care during the six years that she lived there; she was always very content in the pleasant surroundings there. We also thank the prayer team at Willow Hill United Methodist Church for their many cards and notes of comfort and their devoted prayers over the years.

There will not be a service at this time. Cremation rites have been accorded through Mason Funeral Home Germantown Hills. Memorials may be made to Lutheran Hillside Village Foundation or to Willow Hill United Methodist Church, Germantown Hills. Online condolences at www.masonfuneralhomes.com.