Marlon Lyle Gasner, known as "Bud" by his loved ones, was born on Jan. 17, 1972, in Owatonna, Minn., to Darold and Clarice (Karnes) Gasner. He lived a life filled with unselfish love of others, laughter and cherished memories until his untimely passing on May 13, 2024 at his home in Alta.
Funeral services will take place Friday, May 17, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Storm Lake. Visitation will be held Thursday, May 16, from 4-8 p.m. at Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Marlon Gasner Scholarship Fund.
From when Marlon was a small child, his loyalty to his family, friends and work was a God-given talent. Marlon was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Medford, Minn. He started working as a paperboy from the fifth grade up to his senior year in high school. In true Marlon fashion, he spent one summer saving up money to buy his sister a new bike. Marlon graduated from Medford High School in 1990. After graduating, he attended the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and in 1994 earned a bachelor's of science degree in physical therapy. While in college, Marlon was involved in the Männerchor Men's Choir. He later attended Simmons College in Boston, Mass., and obtained his doctorate of physical therapy in 2006.
Marlon was united in marriage to Kathy Spinler in 1994, and from this union Grant and Ethan were born. Kathy and Marlon later divorced. On June 5, 2021, Marlon proposed to Lindsay at their favorite getaway in Stillwater, Minn. On Aug. 13, 2021, Marlon was diagnosed with a rare form of sarcoma. The couple knew there was no better devotion than to weather the storm together. Lindsay and Marlon were united in marriage on Sept. 24, 2021, at 12 p.m. at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Storm Lake. With this union, Marlon was blessed to gain two bonus boys, Tate and Cale Brechwald.
Marlon found immense joy in spending quality time with his family and loved ones. Whether it was boating on a calm lake, embarking on adventurous travels, hitting the slopes skiing or appreciating the beauty of nature through impromptu road trips after work with Lindsay on a Friday night, Marlon knew how to embrace life's simple treasures.
Marlon's dedication to his loved ones, patients and friends was unwavering. He was a selfless individual, always ready to lend a helping hand through his healing talents as a physical therapist and would support those in need with everything he had. Marlon had a protective nature and a genuine heart that touched the lives of those around him.
Marlon passed peacefully in his home surrounded by his loving family. He truly fought a hard fight after his cancer diagnosis and was considered an "outlier" by many of the physicians and nurses at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. Through a plethora of painful setbacks, Marlon was always so humble and stoic. He would continue to put the needs of all others ahead of his own to provide and protect to the best of his abilities, even up to his last days. The kindness, patience and appreciation he expressed to his loved ones and professionals during those extremely tough years were one of the reasons he was considered a “favorite” by all those who cared for him, especially at Mayo. He was known throughout the Mayo system due to the complexity of his disease. Many visits were told to be an internal fight as to who would get to be the one to have Marlon as their patient.
Marlon’s legacy will be remembered and carried on by the love of his life, Lindsay of Alta; sons: Grant Gasner of West Des Moines; Ethan Gasner of Ames; Tate and Cale Brechwald of Alta; brother Frank (Vickie) Gasner of Kasson, Minn.; sister Becky (Steve) Wardyn of Faribault, Minn.; mother-in-law Valerie Walsh of Storm Lake; sisters-in-law, Angi (Jason) Meyer of Alta; and Shannon (Jesse) Howie of Johnston; and a host of aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, cousins, friends and all who had the pleasure of crossing paths with him.
Marlon was preceded in death and welcomed home by his parents, Darold and Clarice Gasner; stillborn daughter Laursen Gasner; brother Dan Gasner; father-in-law Larry Walsh; brother-in-law Jason Walsh; and sister-in-law Sheryl Gasner.
May his spirit live on through the memories shared, the lives he touched and the love he brought into the world. He will be missed dearly.
