Marlen Harris

Marlen (Sam) Eugene Harris, 60, of Backus, MN, passed away peacefully at the Centracare Hospital in St. Cloud, MN on July 4th, 2016 after a courageous two year battle with cancer.

Marlen was born January 8th, 1956, in Estherville, IA, to Harlen "Slim" and Florence "Tudy"(Houts) Harris. He graduated from Remsen-Union HIgh School in 1975. Marlen married his wife, Donita Schroeder from Marcus, IA on July 16, 1977 and resided in the Remsen/Marcus area for several years. He then moved to Glencoe, MN where he worked for 16 years as a manager at AW Disposal in Norwood, MN. Marlen drove truck for Stockman Transfer before relocating to Pine River where he was the manager at the Cass County Recycling Center/Stockman Transfer for the past 12 years. He was a dedicated worker that was respected by many. Marlen was always willing to lend a helping hand for those in need.

Marlen loved spending time outdoors. He enjoyed going out on the boat with his family, fishing, "bird watching", four wheeling, and snoozin' in the deer stand. He was an avid Packers fan and had a love for classic cars. Marlen loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.


Marlen is survived by his wife, Donita; four children: Mindy (Trever) Butricks of Pine River, MN, Cassandra (Aaron) Nelson of Thief River Falls, MN, David Harris of Pine River, MN, Lori (Amos) Roller of Pine River, MN; seven grandchildren: Brianna, Shailyn, and Kaden Butricks, Talan Zabriskie, Michael Harris, Rosezelya and Mardell Newhouse-Whitaker; his parents, Slim (Pat) Harris of Lakefield, MN, and Tudy Harris of Council Bluffs, IA; siblings: Micki (John) Fisher of Arthur, IA, Jackie (Mike) Schnepf of LeMars, IA, Diane (Wayne) Wolf of Mart, TX, Vicki (Dave) Bohnenkamp of Council Bluffs, IA, Randy (Jane) Harris of Winona, MN, Tom (Joyce) Harris of Grimes, IA, Cyndi (Don) Emdia of Donnellson, IA; mother-in-law, Emily Schroeder of Marcus, IA; in-laws: Keith Koopman of LeMars, IA, Dick (Deb) Schroeder of Belle Plaine, MN, Loren (Sandy) Schroeder of Pasco, WA, Marjean (Mark) Nacke of Remsen, IA, Michelle (Ken) Wurth of Remsen, IA, and countless nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Roy and Amelia Harris and Barbra and Maurice Houts, and siblings, Kelly Koopman and Kevin "Roy" Harris.

Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, July 11, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Pine River. Visitation will be Sunday, from 5 to 7 PM at Kline Funeral Home, Pine River, and hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in Norwood Cemetery, rural Pine River. Memorials preferred in lieu of flowers and plants due to the result of Donita's health condition.