Funeral services for Marlin O. Sandsmark, age 85, of Albert Lea will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, December 21, 2015 at Silver Lake Lutheran Church. Rev. Randy Baldwin will officiate. Interment will be at Silver Lake Cemetery. Military honors will be accorded by local servicemen’s organizations, American Legion and VFW. Visitation will be from 1–3 p.m. Sunday, December 20, 2015 at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church. Online condolences are welcome at www.bayviewfuneral.com.
Marlin died Wednesday, December 16, 2015 at St. John’s Lutheran Community.
Marlin O. Sandsmark was born on December 30, 1929 on the family farm in Waseca County, the son of Oscar and Mabel (Neumann) Sandsmark. Marlin grew up in rural New Richland and attended country school.
On January 28, 1951, Marlin was united in marriage to Kathryn “Kitty” Peterson at Sion Lutheran Church. In May of that year, Marlin was drafted into the U.S. Army. He was stationed in Germany and honorably discharged in April, 1953. Marlin and Kitty spent several years farming near the state line before moving back to his family farm in Waseca County. He continued farming until 1976. Marlin also worked at Wilson’s, drove a gravel truck and then drove a ready mix truck. He was a member of Silver Lake Lutheran Church, VFW, Emmons Legion, Senior Center, and Grapevine Twist. Marlin enjoyed square dancing, playing cards, bingo, fishing, and hunting small game in his younger years. Marlin was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather; very helpful and considerate. Anyone who knew Marlin would agree.
Survivors include his wife Kitty; children Gary (Dawn) Sandsmark, Diane King; grandchildren Adam King, Chad Sandsmark, Curtis Sandsmark, Max King, Renae Sandsmark, Bridget (Adam) Stevens, Vanessa (Matthew) Louw, and Tina King; great-grandchildren Ayden Sandsmark and Skyler Sandsmark; sisters Doris Waltz, Verdell Sandsmark, and Darlene Fraley; brothers-in-law Duane (Betty) Peterson, Gene (JoAnn) Peterson; sister-in-law Beverly Thrond; and several nieces and nephews.
Marlin was preceded in death by his parents; brothers-in-law, Dean Waltz, Arza Palmer and Jack Fraley; father- and mother-in-law Dan and Luella Peterson.
