Mass of Christian Burial for Edward Marlow, 88, of Emmetsburg were held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, Jan. 8, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Emmetsburg with the Rev. Paul Kelly, celebrant. Interment was at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery, Emmetsburg.
Edward Joseph Marlow, son of Jess and Ida (Kollasch) Marlow, was born November 14, 1935 in Woden, Iowa. He received his education at St. John’s Catholic School in Bancroft, Iowa, graduating from high school in 1952. Following high school, Ed volunteered for the draft at the age of 18 and on September 24, 1954 he was inducted into the United States Army. Ed was stationed in Germany where he served during the reconstruction process, running a bulldozer and rebuilding football (soccer) fields. He was honorably discharged on September 5, 1956.
On August 25, 1958 Ed was united in marriage to Donna Ramus. They were blessed with six children. Ed and Donna made their home in the Bancroft area where Ed began his career in Agronomy Management. He and Donna owned and operated M&M Services in Bancroft. Donna passed away in 1988.
Ed was later married to Joyce (Origer) Shirk on January 31, 1998 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Estherville, Iowa. Ed and Joyce lived in Estherville where Ed continued his agricultural profession.
Ed was very respected and knowledgeable in his field. He considered his customers his friends and cared about their farming operations and their profitability. He believed his customers’ successes were his successes. Through multiple successful agricultural positions, Ed molded, coached and inspired his customers and employees to be their best. Ed had a strong ability to lead and provide solutions, which led him to 60 plus years of Agronomy Management, Sales and Service. His success and passion for agriculture inspired several of his sons to follow in the same career. In 2000 Ed and Joyce formed a partnership in business that became very successful.
Ed was a member of Holy Family Parish, Knights of Columbus-4th Degree and a Lifetime Member of V.F.W. Post #2295. He was a member of the American Society of Agronomy since 1994 and was a Certified Crop Advisor for 30 years.
Ed enjoyed golfing, playing pool, attending and watching sporting events, playing cards and going to the Casino. He prided himself by telling how he and Joyce had ridden their motorcycles in 48 states. He enjoyed spending time in Arizona and traveling. Ed had the pleasure of taking Joyce to Germany to visit the fields that he had rebuilt while serving in the Army. After Ed and Joyce moved to their home on 5-Island Lake, they both enjoyed sharing their lake home and giving pontoon rides. Ed loved a good drink, a good laugh, and a good time with family and friends.
Ed will be remembered as a loving, joyful, and patient man. He always saw the good in others and was never afraid to offer a second chance. Ed and Joyce were not only a successful team in business but in love and family as well. Ed always referred to Joyce as “Joy”. He said she was the “Joy” of his life.
Ed passed away Monday, January 1, 2024 at the Palo Alto County Hospital in Emmetsburg, Iowa at the age of 88. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jess and Ida Marlow; his first wife, Donna; grandchildren, Sidney and Charlie Marlow (Phil’s twin babies); sisters and brothers-in-law, Joan (Bob) Donovan and Denise (Dwight) Cook.
He is survived by his wife, Joyce of Emmetsburg, Iowa; his children, Philip Marlow of Cedar Falls, Iowa, Tony (Pat) Marlow of Richland Washington, Ann (Rob) Rendler of Oakley, California, Michael (Debra) Marlow of Bondurant, Iowa, Patrick (Richard Collins) Marlow of Fairbanks, Alaska and James (Terisa) Marlow of New Athens, Illinois; Joyce’s children, Cory (Ana) Shirk of Emmetsburg, Iowa, Kristal (David) Theesfeld of Emmetsburg, Iowa, Kyle (Jodi) Shirk of Emmetsburg, Iowa and Kelsey Shirk of Emmetsburg, Iowa; 21 grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren; brothers, Michael Marlow of Swea City, Iowa; sister, LeAnn Castillo of Britt, Iowa; as well as many other relatives and friends.
