Everett icon Marian Krell mourned, remembered
Published 11:11 pm Tuesday, August 18, 2009
EVERETT — You may not have known Marian Krell, but if you live in Everett you can see the results of her life everywhere.
See her in vibrant neighborhoods, in public art downtown, in the transit bus picking up a low-income senior.
Krell, a proud Everett native and a force in the city’s public life, died suddenly Thursday at age 71.
She leaves behind her husband of 51 years, Jerry Krell; their three children, Angela Stahl of Everett, Scott Krell of Snohomish and Brian Krell of Arlington; and many other family members, friends and colleagues.
About 300 people gathered at the Monte Cristo Ballroom in downtown Everett to honor Krell on Tuesday afternoon.
Her memorial was a who’s who in Everett politics, with the city’s movers and shakers lining up to pay their respects to the a plain-spoken leader known for getting things done.
“She did everything 100 percent,” said Deb Williams, a friend and the coordinator for the City Council.
At the memorial, people spoke about Krell’s love of the arts, her sense of humor and her leadership.
Krell was proud to have been part of Everett her whole life. She was raised by Norwegian parents and never forgot her roots, said Arlan Hatloe, City Council president and a longtime friend of the Krells.
She retired at age 55 from a marketing job for a corporate firm. She excelled at a job that was dominated by men at the time, Hatloe said.
Later on the City Council, she was known for her intelligence, tenaciousness and a well-honed sense of humor.
She would declare, when appropriate: “That’s a bunch of bull—!”
One former neighbor shared how Krell seemed to be able to “upholster a couch, sew a suit and plan a dinner party for 10” in the same day.
Krell entered public life in 1994, when she was appointed city neighborhoods director. In her tenure, she encouraged Everett residents to plant trees, form block watches and get to know their neighbors. The list of neighborhood groups swelled from eight to 17. She helped raise money to build three new playgrounds.
She also helped launch the Monte Cristo Awards, a popular program that recognizes people for improving their homes and businesses. The program is in its 15th year. Just a few weeks ago, she spent three hours helping review photos of this year’s finalists.
Krell first ran unsuccessfully for City Council in 1999 against councilman Ron Gipson.
In 2002, Krell was appointed to serve on the Everett City Council. She won re-election in 2004 and served as council president in 2005 and 2006. She fought for public transportation, parks and the senior center.
One of her enduring contributions is shepherding a water-use agreement with the Tulalip Tribes, said Mayor Ray Stephanson. She also played a crucial role in a planned waterfront development downtown that’s been slowed by the economy, he said. The city plans to set aside a special place honoring Krell there.
Debra Smith: 425-339-3197, dsmith@heraldnet.com.
