Marlin Earnest Niday

Marlin Earnest Niday, age 90, of Marengo joined his loved ones in heaven on May 21, 2022 with his family by his side. Funeral Service: 10:30 A.M., Friday, May 27, 2022 at the First Presbyterian Church, Marengo, with Rev. Anni Thorn officiating. Visitation: 4 to 7 P.M., Thursday, May 26, 2022 at Kloster Funeral Home, Marengo. Burial will be in the Marengo Cemetery with military honors conducted by the Marengo American Legion Post #76 and the U.S. Army Honor Guard. Should friends desire, contributions can be sent to Gateway Improvement Group, Marengo. The park was dear to his heart as he played an intricate role in the excavation. In later years, he loved watching his grandkids and their friends fish, boat and enjoy nature.

Marlin was born on April 26, 1932 to Earnest and Ruby Niday, in Allerton, Iowa. He and his 6 siblings grew up on a farm surrounded by horses and many pets. His family milked cows and raised chickens for eggs and moved every March for work. This was where he learned the importance of dedication and hard work, which are values he continued to model for his family to the end.

Marlin enlisted in the Army after graduation and served in the Korean War from 1950-1952. When the Peace Treaty was signed, Marlin was located on the 38th parallel. One bright spot during the war was when Marilyn Monroe was lowered by a helicopter, like “an angel from the sky” to perform for the troops. This was later documented in The American Legion magazine where Marlin’s face can be seen in the crowd.

In 1956, Marlin met and married his life-long partner Leila Hacker. Marlin worked construction and traveled to where the work took him, and Leila was by his side starting their family. Marlin participated in the construction of the Kansas Turnpike, Highway 30 and Interstate 80, before settling in Marengo where he was instrumental in the construction of the levee. Marlin was a loyal and hardworking employee of Marengo Ready Mix from 1963 until his retirement. He became an expert heavy equipment operator on the dragline, caterpillar, backhoe and maintainer.

Even though Marlin spent long hours working, he always had time for friends and family. Weekends were spent at their trailer at Lake Odessa when his children were young. This is where all of his kids learned to waterski, fish and drive a boat. These special times bonded them together and taught his children the importance of family.

Marlin loved to be active and enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, mowing, tinkering with motors and watching Hawkeye basketball. His children and grandchildren often came to him for advice on topics ranging from mechanical problems, because he could fix anything, to fileting a fish or when to plant vegetables. He loved to teach and spent countless hours at the sandpit, (before it was Gateway) teaching all of his kids’ friends to waterski. His greatest passion was participating in the lives of his grandchildren. There was rarely a sporting event that he and Leila missed, even when his only option was to watch live streamed games on his television. He couldn’t wait to hear every detail of their games, jobs or hobbies. His face would light up when loved ones walked into the room. A special bond was forged between him and his newest great-grandson, Caleb, as they face-timed frequently.

Marlin will be dearly missed, but the values he instilled in his children and grandchildren and the memories will last a lifetime.

Marlin is survived by his wife, Leila; five children, Jay (Robin) Niday, Janie Chambers, Julie (Harley) York, Paula (Jeff) Long and Wendy Jordan; 15 grandchildren, Allison (Jeff), Kelsey, Jessica (Ray), Kennedy (Kendall), Brayden, Trevor (Sarah), Tara (Alex), Tiffany (Dan), Brianne (Aaron), Cam, Trent (Ashley), Bryar (Tiffany), Blaine, Beau and Cole; and 17 great-grandchildren, Mason, Kennady, Charlie, Savannah, Jr, Zarya, Autumn, Hunter, Megan, Dominic, Dakota, Zavier, Krayton, Emersyn, Amara and Caleb. Marlin was able to celebrate the birth of his newest great-granddaughter, Emery Jane who was born on May 21, 2022 shortly before his passing. He was preceded in death by his parents and six siblings.