John Marben

Lake Crystal Mortuary 648 S. Main St. Lake Crystal, MN 56055 (507) 726-6161 John William Marben, age 98, of Lake Crystal, died Saturday, September 5, 2015, at Crystal Seasons in Lake Crystal. Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am Friday, September 11, at Zion Lutheran Church, Lake Crystal. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 4 - 6 pm at the Lake Crystal Mortuary and one hour prior to the church service on Friday. Private Family burial at the Lake Crystal Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Zion Lutheran Building Fund or the donor's choice. Lake Crystal Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. John was born February 17, 1917 to John and Ella (Roth) Marben in Lamberton, Minnesota. He was baptized and confirmed at Sharon Lutheran Church. John graduated from Lamberton High School in 1935 and attended Macalester College graduating with a degree in journalism in 1939. While in college he worked at the South St. Paul Daily Reporter, returning to Lamberton and was employed at the Lamberton News. He was united in marriage to Lucile Halland on March 2, 1940. John was drafted into the Navy in April 1945 and stationed in New Orleans at the naval hospital until January 1946. He became editor and publisher of the Lake Crystal Tribune in January 1947 and commuted from Lamberton until August when he moved the family to Lake Crystal. John remained editor of the newspaper for 32 years until 1979 when it sold to his son, Don. John was active in the community serving as President of the Lions Club, and serving two terms on the council planning commission and utilities commission of the city council. He was a member of the Lake Crystal Development Corporation that built the Lake Crystal Nursing Home in 1958. He was the last surviving member of the corporation. He was also a member of the Lake Crystal Services, Inc. that built the Lake Crystal Clinic in 1975. John was a lifelong member of Zion Lutheran Church serving as president of the congregation. He also was a 61 year member of the American Legion Post #294 in Lake Crystal. John's passion was newspaper work. He will be remembered for his strong work ethic, his sense of humor and love of family and community. His ability to recall details from his childhood made him a great storyteller for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was very proud of his German heritage and frequented the Kaiserhoff in New Ulm for sauerkraut and ribs. John his survived by three children, Sandra (Dean) Meixell of Lake Crystal, Don (Judy) Marben of Lake Crystal and David (Sandi) of Cascade, ID; nine grandchildren, Lance (Heidi) Roberts, Lara (Jerry) Wisniewski, Tammy (Dave) Matteson, Tracy (Joe) Loreth, Ryan (Rachel) Marben, Mindy (Andy) Kranz, Mitch Marben, Lucas and Cole Marben; one step-grandchild, Doug (Lori) Meixell; 14 great-grandchildren, four step great-grandchildren, sister, Doretta Miller of Crookston, MN; brothers, Art Marben, of Apple Valley, MN and Robert Marben, of Green Valley AZ; brother-in-law, Keith Miller of Mankato, and many nieces and nephews. John was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Lucile in 2014; brother, Darrel; sisters Lucille Manderfield and Marjorie Wendland, and son-in-law, James (Sandra) Roberts.