Marlyn Menze

Marlyn “Marly” Menze, 87, of Ottertail, MN, passed away on November 3, 2024, surrounded by his loving family at Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, ND.

Marly was born on April 22, 1937, at home on the family farmstead in rural Ottertail, MN. He is the 3rd son of the late Herman and Erna (Ohlrogge) Menze, Marly attended St. John’s Parochial school, in Ottertail and graduated from Henning High School, in 1955. He was drafted into the U.S Army, served stateside from September 19, 1960, through September 20, 1962, then the reserves until 1966.

Marly married Phyllis Macal at St. John’s Lutheran church on December 7, 1963. They made their home on the Menze farmstead, on Portage Lake, which Marly built with reclaimed wood. Their marriage blessed them with 4 children, 7 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. They taught us from a young age… Family Is Everything!

Marly was a self-employed carpenter, building and remodeling many homes, in the surrounding area. He was very meticulous with his carpentry work and enjoyed the creativity of it. Besides his carpentry work, he had a small farm where he milked cows, until 1985.

Throughout the years, Marly enjoyed playing whist, sharing his love for dancing with others and going to many local dances with Carol. He spent endless hours fishing for sun fish off the dock. He cherished time with his children, teaching them to fish, doing work chores and turning chores into mini adventures. He loved cooking hotdogs over the bonfire and feeding the squirrels and birds, especially Orioles & Hummingbird’s. He was mischievous, always pulling pranks on family/friends.

Marly is proceeded in death by his parents; wife: Phyllis; brothers: Verlin Menze, Arvin (Nancy) Menze and sister, Sharon Witt (Vernon Jr.) Witt; father and mother-in-law Harry & Cecelia (Leofric) Macal, brother in laws Marvin Totland, John (Aggie) Macal, Marvin (Pauline) Macal and Duane (Arleen) Macal.

Marly is survived by his children: Rick (Jodi) Menze; Janelle (Erik) Hammer; Tangie (Robert) Ranum; Sara (Marc) Balfour; Grandchildren: Ethan (Heather) Hammer & Sean Hammer; Gretchan (Neo) Mpunga & Kelsey (Tayler) Lehmann; Alec (Tatiana) Ranum and Nathan Ranum; Gage Balfour; great-grandchildren, Zion Lehmann; Chase, Courtney and Alina Hammer; Lucy Ranum. Brother; Delvin (Betty) Menze, Sister-in-laws; Betty Menze and Adeline Totland and brother-in-law Kenneth (Michelle) Macal and many other relatives and friends.

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