Marlin “Fritz” Kasuske

Marlin “Fritz” Kasuske, 93, formerly of Twin Brooks, SD, passed away on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, in Iowa.

Private family grave-side services were held on August 12 at the Milbank City Cemetery. 

Marlin Leo Kasuske was born on August 15, 1930, at the family farm near Twin Brooks. He was the son of Wilhelm August and Elsie Esther (Ferber) Kasuske. Marlin was raised in the Lutheran faith and was confirmed in 1945.

Marlin attended country school in Kilborn Township. As a young man and throughout his life, hunting and fishing were his favorite past-times. In June 1954, he entered into active service in the United States Army as a vehicle mechanic at Fort Ord, California. Following his honorable discharge in March 1956, Marlin returned to work on the family farm. He married Dolores Meyer in November 1956. They divorced in 1980. 

Marlin eventually owned and operated his own farm in Kilborn Township. He was also a talented carpenter and cabinetmaker; and following the 1980 death of his son, Mike, Marlin moved to Grants Pass, Oregon to work in his brother Forrest’s cabinet shop. Fishing on the Rogue River with brother Forrie created lasting memories. Marlin was a man of many, many talents, and upon returning to South Dakota in 1995, he finished building his own house – a source of accomplishment and pride for him. He crowned his home with gardens of peonies, irises, and other flowers which drew the attention of many.

Marlin moved to Blakesburg, Iowa in 2017 to live with his daughter, Patty. Ever the mechanic, he revived his passion for working on antique tractors, tinkering with and restoring Internationals. Together, Patty and Marlin grew irises and peonies, his favorite flowers. Conversing over cups of coffee with new friends at the Blakesburg Community Museum and attending the Trinity Lutheran Church helped Marlin find his footing in his new Iowa home. Never forgetting his South Dakota roots, he remained in close contact with his nephew, Donald Kasuske, and grand-nephew, Greg Kasuske, both of Twin Brooks. 

Marlin was preceded in death by his parents; six siblings: Melvin, Dalton, Forrest, Roland, Harold, and sister Esther; and son, Michael William.

With him throughout his life and surviving him now is daughter, Patty (Dale) Rowland of Blakesburg, IA; as well as grandchildren: Carissa (Jason) Schwickerath of Waukee, IA; Christopher (Lynea) Gehrking of Keswick, IA; and Lee (Emily) Gehrking of Canby, MN. Six great-grandchildren: Evan and Lathen Schwickerath, Ava and Anna Gehrking, and Aubrey and Vivian Gehrking also graced his life and survive him. 

Memorials can be sent to:

The Blakesburg Historical Preservation Society: PO Box 183 – Blakesburg, IA 52536

 Trinity Lutheran Church: 295 Shaul Avenue – Ottumwa, IA 52501