Marlyn Howard Kirkelie, 96, long time resident, farmer and rancher of Donnybrook, N.D. died November 30, 2017 at Trinity Hospital in Minot.

Marlyn was born May 10, 1921 in Donnybrook, N.D. to Sidney & Clara (Sanden) Kirkelie. He grew up and was educated in Donnybrook graduating from high school in 1939. Marlyn continued his education at the University of North Dakota where he earned a degree in Civil Engineering. He was then employed at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, VA until he was drafted into the U.S. Navy in 1944. He served his country honorably and was discharged in 1946. Marlyn then worked as a Civil Engineer for The State of North Dakota until the passing of his father in 1952. He then returned to Donnybrook and spent the remainder of his working days on the family ranch growing crops and raising cattle. He retired from ranching in 2012 and moved to Edgewood Vista Assisted Living in Minot.

Marlyn was a member of the Donnybrook Methodist Church, The American Legion, and the Donnybrook Fire Department. His hobbies included hunting, fishing, trapping, playing cards, shooting pool, and travel to visit his family in Arizona.

Marlyn is survived by a nephew Dennis Wylder of Tucson, Arizona and nieces Donette Williams, of Tucson, Arizona and Dierdre Vacca of LasVegas, NV.

Marlyn was preceded in death by his parents Sidney & Clara Kirkelie, and his sister Marjorie (Kirkelie) Wylder.

Funeral Service: 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 8, 2017 at Renew United Methodist Church, Kenmare.
Interment will be held at Donnybrook Community Cemetery, with a luncheon to follow, provided by the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary at the Town Hall in Donnybrook.
Visitation: Thursday, December 7, 2017 from 3:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m.in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.