Marianne Miller Kleban

Marianne Miller Kleban, 77, of Harrisburg, passed away on Thursday, March 13, 2025 at Transitional Health Services in Kannapolis.

Mrs. Kleban was born December 3, 1947 in Alexandria, Ohio to the late Fred and Marguerite (Dienst) Miller, the third of five children. Marguerite relocated the kids from the farm of Licking County to the city of Columbus, Ohio and Marianne attended Franklin Heights High School.

After graduation, Marianne visited her sister Jean at Columbus (GA) Air Force Base and met her future husband, Mike Kleban.

Mike & Marianne wed in Charlotte in August of 1966 and were married for 55 years, remaining in the Charlotte area throughout their marriage.

Marianne worked in Business Administration in Charlotte. When their son Scott was born in 1971, she delayed her career to become a stay-at-home mother. Their second son, Todd arrived three years later. Marianne eventually worked different part-time evening jobs, when she wasn’t volunteering at Derita Athletic Association as a team mom or running the concession stands.

The couple were blessed with their third son when Corey was born in 1987. Once Corey reached school-age, Marianne became a Teacher’s Assistant at Statesville Road Elementary School in Charlotte, where she worked until retirement.

Community Service was always a big part of the Kleban household. As an extension to both Marianne and Mike’s years of service at Derita Athletic Association, they supervised a concession stand at the Charlotte Coliseum during the initial years of the Charlotte Hornets.

When Corey attended Vance High School, Marianne and Mike were both involved in the athletic booster club at Vance, again spending countless hours inside the concession stand.

Mike was driven to start a couple of charities in his lifetime. Marianne was by his side and supported him in each of the endeavors.

Through their efforts, Kleb’s Kids grew from a small coat drive to eventually serving up to 200 kids in need annually. Each kid received articles of clothing, a gift certificate for groceries and either toys or a bike for Christmas. Over 32 years, thousands of kids were given a Christmas that they may not have had otherwise thanks to the efforts of Kleb’s Kids.

Mike and Marianne both volunteered at the Harrisburg Crisis Assistance Ministry Food Pantry. After a few years supporting that organization, they started a new Food Pantry at Oak Grove United Methodist Church in north Charlotte. (Also, the host of Kleb’s Kids)

Marianne also volunteered in other events at Oak Grove Methodist Church. These included participating in a weekly Hot Dog Lunch fundraiser, and making sandwiches each week for the homeless shelters in Charlotte.

Outside of volunteering, Marianne was involved in several activities. She was an avid reader and loved card games, board games, watching game shows and completing crossword puzzles.

She also enjoyed spending time with family and traveling. These two activities were often combined as Marianne went on numerous cruises, most often with her sister, Jean; husband, Mike; and son, Corey. She was always ready for the next cruise and invited many friends and acquaintances to join her on the open seas.

Marianne was preceded in death by her husband Mike. She was also preceded by her sister, Jean Realmuto and brother-in-law, John and brothers, Stephen and Larry. She was also preceded by nephews, Tony Realmuto and Bryan Miller and by niece, Michelle Miller.

Marianne is survived by her son Scott, (wife Elissa) and grandsons Max and Zac of Harrisburg; her son, Todd (wife Harriett) of Manns Harbor; and her son, Corey, (wife Jennifer), grandson Luke and granddaughter Sadie of Concord.

She is also survived by her brother Mark (wife Dee Dee) of Mt. Dora, FL, brother-in-law Leon Locklear and sister-in-law Mary Anne Locklear. Also, by nieces Teri Grzelak, Cathee Locke and Kim Locklear and nephews Leon Locklear, Justin Locklear and Mason Miller.

The memorial service will be on Friday, April 25 at 2:30pm. It will be at Salisbury National Cemetery at 501 Statesville Blvd. in Salisbury.

Memorials may be made to: St. Jude’s’s Children’s Hospital, the Dementia Society of America or The Harrisburg Crisis Assistance Ministry.

Hartsell Funeral Home of Harrisburg is serving the Kleban family.