Marlen Ervin Lenton, 52, Minot and formerly of rural Norwich died on Thursday, February 8, 2018 in a Minot hospital.

Marlen was born on January 15, 1966 in Minot to Gary and Gloria (Klimpel) Lenton. He was reared on the family farm in Norwich Township of McHenry County, attended school in Granville and graduated from Granville High School in 1984. He continued his education at the North Dakota State School of Science in Wahpeton where he received specialized training in insurance sales. Marlen was diagnosed with cancer at a young age. At the age of 13, a surgical procedure related to Ewing's Sarcoma was not successful and he became paralyzed and was confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life. Marlen won many battles due to his courage and faith. He continued to fight back to work and live independently for the rest of his life.

Following his education, Marlen returned to the Minot area where he was employed as an insurance agent at Western Agency for 20 years. Additionally, he was employed as an agent at Prairie Dakota and BBHI Insurance Agencies. He retired in 2014 due to his disability and ill health.

Marlen was a member of the Norwich Lutheran Church, Souris Basin Longbeards, Companions for Children and Northern Mini-Racers. He participated in local pool leagues and enjoyed playing poker with his friends. He was a cat lover and especially enjoyed collecting caps, chess and cribbage boards and attending auction sales.

Marlen's loving family includes his mother: Gloria Lenton, siblings: Kimberly (Brad) Baker of Bellevue, ID and Lance Lenton of Minot; nieces and nephews: Levi Lenton, Ashley and Chance Pehrson and Elissa and Kaylee Baker; great nieces: Tinley, Oakley and Aizley Pehrson; aunts and uncles: Bonita Olson, Rex and Linda Lenton, Audrey and Brian Beck, Dennis and Karen Klimpel, Debbie and Carl Denkinger and Janice Klimpel.

Marlen was preceded in death by his father: Gary Lenton; grandparents: Durward and Evelyn Lenton and Ervin and Mae Klimpel and aunts and uncles: Thelma Klimpel, Luella and Mike Tabak, Patricia and Harold Hansen, George Klimpel, Jerry Klimpel, LaVerne and Jodi Klimpel and Lyle Klimpel.

Celebration of the Life of Marlen Lenton : Tuesday, February 13, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. in First Lutheran Church - Minot.
Prayer Service : Monday at 7:00 p.m. in the Norwich Lutheran Church - Norwich.
Interment : Norwich Lutheran Cemetery - rural Norwich.
Visitation : Monday from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home - Minot.
Memorials , in lieu of plants and flowers, are preferred to the Norwich Lutheran Cemetery, Norwich Cemetery Chapel or the Wheelchair Mission.