Marilyn Krummel

URBANA - Marilyn Krummel died quietly in her sleep early Friday morning, March 28, 2025, at home in Urbana.

She was born on Jan. 11, 1931, to Howard and Gertrude Van Diest Frederick, and was educated in Iowa and at the University of Michigan, where her last elective for her master's degree was an opera history class taught by Don Krummel. After a year on the faculty of Bemidi State University, she and Don were married on June 15, 1956, at her home. They settled in Washington, D.C.

While Don was at the Library of Congress, Marilyn taught in the Prince Georges County public schools and rose to become the county elementary music supervisor. In 1962, they moved to Chicago. Don worked at the Newberry Library, while Marilyn established a private piano studio and was a member of the chorus of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. After a year in London, they moved to Urbana in 1970, where she was active in local music and continued her studio.

She is survived by her husband; two children, Karen in Grand Rapids, Mich., and Matthew in San Francisco; and three grandchildren, Esmé, Evan and Elsa.

Her family would like to express their deep gratitude to Connie Williams for her friendship and exceptional care for Marilyn.

A memorial service is to be held in the summer.

Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 710 N. Neil St., Champaign, has been entrusted with handling arrangements. Please join Marilyn's family in sharing memories, photos and videos on her tribute wall at sunsetfuneralhome.com.