Marlene K (Randall) Kroiss

Marlene Randall Kroiss March 21, 1939 - January 9, 2021 Marlene Randall Kroiss, 81, died in Fort Worth, Texas, on January 9, 2021, from complications of Alzheimer’s disease. She was born March 21, 1939, youngest daughter of Kenneth Keith and Miggs Randall, in Craigmont, Idaho. She was raised in Craigmont, graduated from Craigmont High School in 1957, and attended University of Idaho where she was a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority. She married John Anthony Kroiss, of Ferdinand Idaho, in 1959. Through John’s 35-year career with Shell Oil, they lived in California, where their three children, Douglas, Kelly and Karla, were born; then lived briefly in New Jersey before moving to Houston in 1969 where they lived until John’s retirement in 1993.

While in Houston, Marlene resumed her college education, receiving Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in education from the University of Houston. Marlene’s teaching career included Corpus Christi Catholic School in Houston and Hambrick Junior High in the Aldine school district. Upon John’s retirement, they moved to Magnolia, Texas, where Marlene continued teaching in the Magnolia Independent School District, retiring in 2002.

Throughout her life, Marlene was an animal lover, raising 15 dogs over the years, 10 dachshunds, one weimaraner, two labradors, and two rescue dogs. She passed on her love for animals to her children and grandchildren, who between them have contributed to the family 18 more dogs and two rabbits. While living in Magnolia, Marlene added to her animal menagerie with miniature goats, miniature donkeys, a series of barn cats, and a herd of wild deer that she fed twice daily. She also enjoyed all of her grandchildren’s school activities, including oldest granddaughter Amanda’s dance and theater performances, granddaughter Allison’s volleyball, grandson Jonathan’s involvement in all manner of sports, and youngest granddaughter Kathleen’s softball games and theater performances. Over the years you could find Marlene either playing with the grandchildren in the pool, playing cards or board games, and always reading to them. She and John were known among friends for their annual Memorial weekend party at their home in Magnolia, which featured barbeque, dancing and karaoke. She and John continued to travel to Idaho many years, and she enjoyed reconnecting with her high school classmates at many June picnic and class reunion events in Craigmont. She loved gardening, pickling and making salsa, and made Christmas cookies, fudge and peanut brittle every year. She was an avid seamstress and crocheter, reader and sudoku player for many years.

After John’s passing in 2012, Marlene relocated to the Tomball area where she lived until early 2020, when she moved into memory care in Fort Worth. Marlene is survived by her children: son Douglas Kroiss and wife Valerie, of Dallas, daughter Kelly Kroiss of Tomball, and daughter Karla Clum and husband Brent, of Fort Worth; her grandchildren Amanda Kroiss Bohr and husband Brian, Allison Kroiss Adams and husband John, Jonathan Clum, and Kathleen Clum; and numerous nieces and nephews.

According to her wishes, Marlene was cremated in Fort Worth and her ashes will be buried with John in Magnolia. A memorial service for friends will be planned later, once COVID restrictions are less.

Marlene’s family would like to thank family friend Tammy Nichols Fowler for her help and support while Marlene lived in Tomball, Latasha and Mileena with FirstLight Home Care of Tomball, Auberge at Benbrook Lake Memory Care and her Comfort Keepers caregivers Sydney, Jessie, Alba and Lisa. In lieu of flowers, for those wishing, memorials may be made in Marlene’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association or the animal rescue organization of your choice. Because her final rescue dog Martha gave Marlene so much joy, if you happen to be considering a new pet, please consider adopting a shelter animal. If you already have a dog, give an extra belly rub in Marlene’s memory.

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