Brian Lee Marcks

Brian Lee Marcks, age 66, of Owatonna, MN, passed away from cancer on New Year’s Eve December 31^st, 2023, at the Owatonna Hospital. Survived by son, Luke (Hollie) Marcks of Albert Lea; daughter, Alisha (Nathan) Brooks of Austin; brother, Michael (Debbie) Marcks; grandchildren, Cherysh and Lancelot Marcks, and Kaelynn Ulland. He was preceded in death by parents, Marlin and Sonya (Schreiber) Marcks; both sets of grandparents; sister, Judy Marcks, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and niece, Cami Marcks.

On March 13^th, 1957, Brian was the last to be born from Marlin and Sonya Marcks. They also had a daughter Judy and son Michael. With Brian being the baby of the bunch, some might say he was the “fortunate son” although the entire family has a “heart of gold.” As kids, they grew up helping around the farm and delivering Pepsi for their father’s company. Brian and his brother, Mike, would stick up for one another and were known as “tougher than the rest;” as a duo, they became very close. “He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother” - a phrase they both lived by, carrying each other through the worst times. Brian also extended this to others he truly cared for. Knowing him, you knew he was far from living in a “world without love.”

Fresh into adulthood, Brian married the woman that gave him the gift of fatherhood, and they had their first son, Luke. Eventually, the “winds of change” had him choosing a different path. Something inside him was saying “roll me away,” and that’s what he did. He continued on in life and years later, Brian met the woman who became the mother of his daughter, Alisha. For the second time around, he found himself in a “white wedding.” Brian, his new wife, and his children would go on family trips together. He really enjoyed hosting holidays and throwing parties that would get everyone gathered around to have a good time. Unfortunately, as we all know, sometimes “everybody hurts.” These two decided to “turn the page,” resulting in ending a marriage that lasted over a decade. This left Brian carrying “the weight” of choices he had made in the past and he struggled with starting over again as a “lonely bull.” He never married again, and he instead found great joy loving the 3 grandchildren his children blessed him with. Up until the day he died, he remained a “solitary man.”

Before and during Brian’s experiences with love, he had graduated from Hayfield High School. Immediately after, he pursued his curiosities and education further and took some college Carpentry courses. He was a very talented man and had many skills in crafts such as woodworking but was especially talented at drawing. Brian had many thrilling and amusing interests including watching lifelong friends and family race dirt track in that little “one horse town,” heading to Gooseberry Falls, walking along “the river” and trails up north, or simply spending time with his German Shepherd companions. It’s “no doubt” he was creating some awesome “glory days” to be reminisced and looked back upon. Brian had a passion for motorcycles, and he was always down to ride. With his brother at his side, he’d take off for Sturgis, one of his many countless adventures. Through these, music had a great influence on Brian. He appreciated hearing and sharing favorite songs and was always known for leaving you with a song to make your “soul shine.”

Providing for the household and family was a priority to Brian and he did so by maintaining his position at Hydro-AX/Blount for many, many years. In this, he discovered more friends and built a lovely life out of this career. Loyalty and hard work were never a “perfect stranger” when it came down to his moral code, but when the company relocated, he took a new path, entering into the trucking industry. As a “highway man,” he drove for varying companies. Spending precious time away from his home and family, he would often remind himself of the fruitful life this provided. Driving hundreds and hundreds of miles all the way out to “where the corn don’t grow,” Brian eventually retired and found a nice spot in Owatonna where he lived a calm and comfortable life. Here he made friends as always and they would spend time together hanging out and playing pool tournaments. Last year came with a dose of “summertime sadness” when Brian’s health took a turn for the worse with a cancer diagnosis. It could have been an “eve of destruction,” but he kept his sense of humor and thoughtfulness throughout his battle. It did seem as though he was “knocking on heaven’s door” during the last month as he declined quickly. Brian and his family were blessed and grateful that they were able to spend one last Christmas together. Struggling to maintain his own safety through this nightmare, Moments Hospice was helpful in keeping him comfortable. Brian then quickly relocated to Owatonna hospital where he was provided with around-the-clock care. Brian’s family came together, spending every moment possible they could with him. With his family by his side that New Year’s Eve morning, Brian was not alone as he took his last breath and entered into “the sounds of silence.”