Marlin John Brutlag, age 90, formerly of New York Mills, passed away on August 28, 2024, at LB Broen Nursing Home in Fergus Falls. Memorial Services will be held on Friday, September 6, 2024, at 11 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Ottertail, with Reverend Dr. Karl Weber officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at church. Congregational hymns will be accompanied by Mary Weber. Urn Bearers will be Marlin’s children, Stephen Brutlag and Margaret Beyer. Honorary Urn Bearers will be Harold Brutlag, Charles Brutlag, Donald Dreyer, Donald Lafferty, Joel Brutlag, Matthew Beyer, Duncan Beyer and Louis Dunker.  Marlin will be laid to rest in St. John’s Lutheran Church Cemetery in Ottertail alongside his beloved wife, Carol.

Marlin was born on August 9, 1934, in Henning, to Albert and Margaret (Albrecht) Brutlag. He was born at home in a farmhouse that is still there to this day. He attended Henning High School, graduating with the class of 1952.  He continued his education at Concordia University Chicago in River Forest, Ill., earning his bachelor’s degree in preparation for a career in teaching and school administration. While at college, in addition to studying he played football (using football injuries as an excuse to get out of piano lessons), drove a cab in Chicago, and was introduced to Carol Ann Scheimann, also pursuing her teaching degree.  The rest is history!  

On August 11, 1956, Marlin and Carol were married at Zion Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne, Ind.  Soon after, they headed to their first teaching assignments at St. John Lutheran School in Fraser, Mich., and their first home together. While at St. John they were blessed with two children.  In 1973 Marlin and Carol moved the family to Richmond, MI to continue their calling as teachers and principal at St. Peter’s Lutheran School. Marlin retired in 1996 after 40 years as a Lutheran school teacher and principal. The number of children whose lives he touched with his wisdom, love and experience is countless. 

After Marlin retired, he and Carol packed up and moved back to Minnesota, New York Mills, where they enjoyed many more delightful years with family and friends.

Every moment you spent with Marlin was the moment you needed. Marlin was interested in just about everything, and he loved to strike up a conversation with everyone he met. A stranger would become a new friend in a minute. He loved to travel, and saw much of the country from coast-to-coast: summer camping trips when the kids were young, camper trips with Carol, motorcycle trips with Steve and Joel and other dear family members and friends.  He enjoyed fishing, metal working, wood working, visiting with friends and family, and so many other hobbies.  His life was a 90-years long learning experience.

Marlin was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Carol; brother, Lloyd Brutlag; sister-in-law Myrt Brutlag, brothers-in-law Wayne Scheimann and Ernie Hagenmueller, and nephews Lowell Dreyer and Bill Brutlag.

Deeply loved, Marlin’s passing will be mourned by his children Steve (Carolyn) Brutlag of Underwood, and Maggi (Richard) Beyer of San Ramon, Calif.; grandchildren Sarah Brutlag, Joel Brutlag, Matthew Beyer, and Duncan Beyer; siblings and their spouses Elaine Hagenmueller, Harold (Janice) Brutlag, Caryl (Don) Dreyer and Charles (Jean) Brutlag; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Bob (Moni) Scheimann; Barbara Scheimann;  many other relatives and a host of friends.

We will all miss his humor, his wisdom, his experience and his love, and can only hope to be as fine a human being.

Please visit www.karvonenfuneralhome.com to leave memorials and condolences on Marlin’s Tribute Wall.

Arrangements provided by Karvonen Funeral & Cremation Service of New York Mills.