A man with a big heart and bright smile will be dearly missed; especially by those whose lives he impacted during his 81 years on this earth. - - - My parents knew the Wigen and Thissen families because of their deep ties in agriculture and our community of Litchfield, Minnesota and Meeker County. Plus, Sara and Jay, Marlow’s grandkids, bought their show stock from my parents when they were still 4-H and FFA members, before I was born and in my younger years. So for my first through third Halloweens, Mom and Dad had to go show me off to the Wigen and Thissen families. As the family watched me grow up, my schedule got busier and I lost touch with Anna Mae and Marlow. I could always count on seeing them in church on Sunday mornings with smiles on their faces. If for some reason I was in the paper that week, they would make sure to congratulate me on my newest accomplishment. And then there is the Meeker County Fair. This was a time of year you could bet that the Wigens wouldn’t miss. Especially on Saturday night for the Meeker County 4-H Blue Ribbon Livestock Auction - that Marlow helped start 40 years ago. About eight weeks ago, we started to pray for Marlow in church. He became a candidate for open heart surgery and was ailing in health. Of course, lots of prayers were sent heavenward for Marlow’s health and his family. But, unfortunately in his state he was denied the surgery and started hospice. About a month prior to this, at LTC (Leading the Challenge - Region V FFA Leadership Conference) we made tie blankets as part of our “Shining a Light on Service” session that the Region V Officers created. We made 14 blankets in 20 minutes on that Saturday afternoon, and us nine Region Officers got to bring them back to our communities to give to someone in need. I was really struggling to find someone to give this blanket to. I asked my guidance counselor at school and my pastor; we were all struggling. Until Marlow enrolled in hospice. I knew this was the perfect man and family to give this tie blanket to. Marlow and his family have always been huge supporters of Meeker County 4-H and Litchfield FFA, things I hold near and dear to my heart. This was just a small way to say “Thank you!” for everything he had done in our community. My plan was to give the blanket to Marlow when I went to his house with Pastor Christian on Friday, February 19th, but something came up and I had to go by myself. I will admit - I was a little hesitant to go out there without anyone else. But as soon as I stepped into the house, Marla, Marlow’s daughter, and Sara, welcomed me with shining smiles. They directed me towards Marlow and Anna Mae who were hosting other company at the time. My plan was to give the blanket to Marlow, have a short conversation, take a picture, and head out; half an hour max. Boy was I wrong. An hour and a half later I am leaving the Wigen home with three pictures of me dressed in cute Halloween costumes in hand and reminisced stories on my mind. As I leaned down to give Marlow a hug as I was saying my goodbyes and heading out the door, he told me that his blanket was very special to him and that I was a very special girl. I reminded him that he was a special guy and that he impacted so many lives in Litchfield, including mine.
I left that day with a buoyant heart; knowing that my hour and a half spent with Marlow and his family was time well spent. My heart and mind were heavy last Sunday morning as I sat in the back pew of church by myself. I had to lead communion songs and Tanner had his last basketball tournament of the season, so I was on my own. I thought I could handle it; Mom told me the night before that Marlow had passed away but I must not have comprehended it. It hit me like a ton of bricks that morning as I listened to the prayers and announcements, and saw Marla and Sara in their normal pew up front. After the service, long and tearful hugs were given to Sara and Marla; during which they told me that Marlow had my blanket on his bed where he passed on that early Friday morning. “It had just meant so much to him” came out between Sara’s light sobs. The following Tuesday at the visitation I was reminded by the family countless times about how much my visit that Friday afternoon and how the blanket given to him meant so much. The tears were ever-flowing for me, and my mom, as we expressed our condolences to the family. But through the tears, Marla, Anna Mae, Sara, Mom and I were all still smiling … the impact was greater than I had ever imagined. Anna Mae shared a piece of advice with us before we left that evening after thanking me for what I had done just weeks prior, “It’s the little things in life that matter.” The little things in life… an hour of your time, small tokens of appreciation, kind words, or a simple smile - giving of yourself and giving back like Marlow did - can sometimes have the greatest impact in one’s life. That time spent with Marlow will always be held near and dear to my heart; for you never know when today is your last or if tomorrow is just the next chapter in your book. - - - Rest in peace Marlow.
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AuthorKylee Kohls - #passionateAGvocate Archives
July 2018
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