Marlene Lucille Kutz

Marlene L. (Warren) Kutz AKA “Soupy” Age 83 formerly of Erie, MI and part time winter resident of Sarasota, FL passed away from Dementia/ Alzheimers in a nursing care facility located in Oregon, OH. She was born on Sept 10, 1939, to her parents Marie E, (Monaghan) Warren & Charles O. Warren.

Marlene graduated from Whitmer High School (Class of 1957). Marlene had a countless number of passionate interests besides family, and her friends. She enjoyed sports, music, dance, cards, games, church & anything involved in helping the community. She was an active member of 6 of the 7 societies within the German American Festival Societies at Oak Shade Grove. A lifelong Girl Scout spanning over 76 years where she started out as a child Girl Scout moving up the ranks to becoming a honest, trustworthy, loyal, Mentor/Advisor to a countless number of girls.

Marlene had many great opportunities of a lifetime which left an indelible mark on our earth. She loved history (being a historian herself). The result will forever live on and a countless number of people will enjoy it. One of her greatest opportunities was to attend what would be the last known Girl Scout round up in 1965 in Farragut, Idaho. Marlene helped aide in restoring the devastation to our great nation that resulted from 2 wars. Our government had destroyed and abandoned this space. Marlene was able to participate with over 12,000 Girl Scouts to aide in rebuilding one of the largest natural wildlife sanctuary preserves. It is located on the beautiful Lake Pendorelle in Idaho spanning over 5,000 acres. The Girl Scouts came in and single handily planted over 50,000 Ponderosa Pines. This was all during the Vietnam War time. Marlene reported that there were soldiers all around them with rifles to protect them and keep them safe. It was a very scary time. Marlene escorted alone, as an advisor, 32 girls from N.W. Ohio Troop #4 to Idaho. There was over 200 hundred tents setup. One was so large it became a 100-bed hospital. There were over 200 flags displayed to represent people from all over the world. There were Girl Scout girls & women representing their countries from within 7 different continents. Troop #4 was there for 2 weeks in tents with no running water, or electricity. The girls all had to hunt, and fish for there own food. All of this helped to cultivate and enhance Marlene’s love for sportsmanship, camping, and the great outdoors. Marlene could shoot a rifle, field dress a deer, and bait a hook like no other. She could be as rough and tough as they came, but also knew the importance of family, togetherness, and the elegance of setting a table for a 5-course meal. She was sweet, kind, loving, generous, fearless, and unstoppable. She was one of the most well-rounded people you could ever imagine. Possessing all these qualities, it was no wonder that Richard L. Kutz fell in love with this remarkable woman. On August 16, 1969, they were wed. They bought a house in Erie, Mi to raise there combined beautiful family. She would proudly become an Erie Mason Consolidated School Bus Driver “SOUPY” of #13, and a Michigan State tested instructor/examiner, another great passion of hers. Marlene worked for Mason for 22 years. Over that time span, she worked effortlessly to help build Safety City, Scholar Ship Programs, School Bus Rodeos, and countless hours of volunteering selflessly to improve the lives of many children. Marlene truly enjoyed driving that Big Yellow School Bus, and the lifelong friendships she would build there. Marlene touched so many lives that she truly left behind a legacy that will be remembered for an eternity.

Marlene L. Kutz was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 43 years, Richard L. Kutz; brother, Charles O. Warren; stepson, Richard L. Kutz Jr. “Rocky Stone”; stepdaughter-in-law, Vikki L. Kutz; and grandson, Christopher M. Kutz.

Marlene L. Kutz is survived by daughter, Kim (Kutz) Maher (James Maher); her bonus children, Jeff Kutz, Kathy Stults, Brenda Heuring (Michael Mayberry), and Susan Deak (Daniel Deak); 12 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren, 6 great-great grandchildren; and a countless number of friends, bus riders, girl scouts and leaders.

Marlene was a shining example of one of the Girl Scouts Motto “Make New Friends”. Once you were a friend you were her treasured piece of gold. Let’s all live by her example! The family has provided 2 links below with some very interesting facts about the 1965 G.S. Round up.

Click here to find out more about the remarkable imprint Marlene has left for all of us:

https://www.vintagegirlscout.com/senior-girl-scout-roundup-1965 (History/info)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sohqmg3YxAQ ( Music; this was a vinyl record produced with a recording of over 12,000 Girl Scout voices singing at what would be the last ever known “Girl Scout Round up from 1965”. Knowing Marlene’s voice is on here somewhere being heard I must say gives me God Bumps, it’s just beautiful).

The Family would like to invite all family and friends April 1, 2023 at 10 am to St. James Lutheran Church, 4727 W. Sylvania Ave Toledo, OH 43623 for a Celebration of Remembrance Service with a final Bridge Ceremony/Burial at Ottawa Hills Memorial Park where she will be laid to rest with her beloved husband. A Soup & Salad luncheon will follow back at St. James Lutheran Church to honor her.