Obituaries 01/16/25

Marlin Mell, 87

Marlin Eugene Mell, age 87, of Buffalo, MN, passed away on January 8, 2025, at The Glenn in Buffalo.

He was born in Rush City, MN, on February 4, 1937, the son of Wallace and Clara (Trulson) Mell.

Marlin was employed for many years as a carpenter.

Marlin enjoyed spending time with his family and friends and spending time out in nature and fishing. He also enjoyed talking to people about the Bible. He was a member of the Jehovah Witness faith for 71 years.  

Survived by his children, Patricia (Richard) Genz, of Buffalo, May Hanson, of Isanti, Laura (Mark) Skalbeck, of Anoka, David Mell, of Harris, Daniel (Marikay) Mell, of Rush City, Catina Mell and Jerald Mell, both of Milaca, and Matthew Mell, of Bethel; seventeen grandchildren; twenty-four great-grandchildren; a brother, Alan Mell; a sister, Muriel (Harold) Slaughter; other relatives and friends.

Preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Leroy and Gary Mell; sisters, Bonnie Dehn and Beverly Horan; and by a brother-in-law, Ted Rohlf.

A Memorial Service for Marlin E. Mell will be held on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at 2:00 P.M. at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witness, 3552 333rd Avenue NE in Cambridge, MN.

Serving the family is The Peterson Chapel, Buffalo MN. On-line condolences can be made at www.thepetersonchapel.com.

Richard Rebischke, 79

Richard Rueben (Rubes) Rebischke passed away peacefully in his sleep at the Heritage Center in Park Rapids on December 31, 2024, at the age of 79. Rubes was born on November 25, 1945, in Little Falls, Minnesota, to Albert and Thelma Rebischke. He married Judy (Wiley) Rebischke on December 27, 1966, in Pierz, Minnesota. Dick attended Bemidji State and St. Cloud State before being drafted into the Army and served in the First Infantry in Vietnam during the Tet Offensive, where he received multiple Purple Hearts. Dick and Judy moved to Buffalo, MN, in 1977. Dick worked for 25 years at Twin City Federal as a data analyst. Dick was very involved in the Buffalo community running the Buffalo Rodeo for a number of years. He enjoyed playing pool, hunting up north in the Nevis area, motorcycling, downhill skiing, and coaching the kids’ sports and activities. Dick and Judy enjoyed entertaining, and their home became the neighborhood gathering place for the kids and adults alike, especially after installing a pool. Rubes enjoyed being a part of the large Wiley family, especially at the annual Wiley Olympics on Lake Alexander. Dick and Judy moved to Kauai in 2005 to be near their daughter, Sharon, her husband, Mucho, and stepson, Kailana. They made many friends while living there. In 2008, Rubes moved to Nevis where he loved living and spending time with his many friends, especially his morning coffee at the Nevis Muni. He continued to stay connected to his unit from Vietnam, including organizing yearly get togethers. Rubes was able to attend a meeting of his unit in Michigan in October of 2024. 

Dick is survived by daughter, Sharon (Mucho) Saronitman and Kailana Saronitman; son, Tom (Bridget) and Madison Kolsky; brother, Wayne (Karen) Rebischke; the extensive Wiley family, many nieces and nephews, countless friends as week as his army family. 

Dick was preceded in death by his wife, Judy Rebischke (Wiley); parents, Albert and Thelma Rebischke; sister, Lorraine Borgstrom (Rebischke); brother, Robert (Bob) Rebischke.

An open house will be held at the Cease Funeral Home in Nevis from 4-6 p.m. on January 17, 2025. A military burial will be held at Camp Ripley at a later date. 

Special thanks to the staff and hospice who provided end of life care at the Heritage Center, and the entire Nevis Community.