About Brenda

Brenda Dorothea Malin, 72, of Kansas City, Missouri passed away on May 28, 2024, peacefully,
surrounded by comfort and love. Born September 20, 1951, in Marshall, Missouri, she was the
daughter of the late Louis H. Kruger, Jr. and Avalene (Hogan) Kruger. She was preceded in
death by her husband, Daniel Malin and sister Dr. Linda Kruger.
Brenda was a graduate of Hickman High School and continued her education at the University of
Missouri-Columbia, where she earned her master’s degree in art history and education. Her
passions in life were teaching, serving the Kansas City, Kansas school district as an elementary
art teacher, leading Camp Fire Girls as a counselor named “Pockets,” and speaking in any setting
to an audience wishing to learn about art history, cultural influences, or the amazing world
around us. She possessed a wealth of knowledge and an abundance of creativity and humor.
Watercolor was her favorite outlet, but her inspirations were also delivered through random
doodles and drawings, projects such as jewelry making, sculpture, weaving, or clay. She was an
avid animal lover and an accomplished harpsichord player. Celebrating with family was her
most cherished of memories, along with her aspirations of being a park ranger, veterinarian, and
pilot. She would encourage us to keep learning, living in this world with wonder, imagining and
dreaming with those around us.
Brenda is survived by her brother Greg Kruger, daughters Laura (Heath) Hayden and Zosia
(Jake) Malin, and grandchildren Via, Alicia, and Ava.