Marlen H. Christian

Funeral services for Marlen Christian, 82, of New Salem, will be held 11:00 a.m., Monday, February 26, 2024 at Zion Lutheran Church, New Salem with Pastor Zelwyn Heide officiating. Interment with military honors will follow in the Churchtown Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church from 3-5 p.m. on Sunday, February 25, 2024, with a prayer service beginning at 5 p.m. Marlen died February 21, 2024 at his home.

Marlen was born November 3, 1941, in New Salem to August and Louise (Scherer) Christian.  He attended country school, Garfield #7, through the eighth grade.  Marlen joined the army in 1964 and was honorably discharged in 1970.  On June 5, 1970, he married Sheila Windhorst.  They had three children, Hazel, Aldon, and Marla.  Marlen had many job opportunities.  He hauled gas for Sheldon Rud for 7 years. After that, Marlen and his family moved to a farm north of New Salem. He enjoyed the farm and all that came with it, making prairie hay with his Farmall H, milking cows, raising pigs, sheep, and chickens, and having plenty of cats.  Marlen helped many friends over the years from planting trees with his sister Ardella for the Morton County Soil District and doing construction with Keith Hoesel. His last job was making custom insulation with Howard Bubel at JDJ Insulation.  Marlen was active after he retired. Many days went past with him going out to the cows checking the water with his faithful dog, Buster, taking care of his bird feeders, cutting grass out at Churchtown, fishing with his grandsons out at Sweet Briar, playing 31 or international rummy at his brother Loren's house with family. Marlen always loved it when family or friends would stop by, especially his grandsons and later great-grandchildren. 

Lucky to share his life with Sheila, wife of 53 years, daughter; Hazel Hoger (Ivan); son, Aldon (Tania) Christian; daughter, Marla (Travis) Hagemeister,  grandchildren, Wyatt Hoger (Morgan),  and August Christian; great-grandchildren, Trace and Parker Hoger; brothers, Loren Christian, and Randy (Linda) Christian, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Marlen was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Ardella, sister-in-law, Mary Christian; brother-in-law, Robert Schwagler; and grandson, Ethan Hoger.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Marlen's name are suggested to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project (www.woundedwarriorproject.org) or the Churchtown Cemetery Association.