Marlyn E. Symens

George, Iowa Marlyn E. Symens, age 72 of George, IA died Sunday, January 9, 2011 at the Sanford Hospital in Rock Rapids, IA. Memorial services will be 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, January 12th at Zoar Presbyterian Church at George, IA with Rev. Dale Lint, officiating. Private family burial will take place prior to the service in the Evergreen Lawn Cemetery at George. Visitation will be Tuesday, January 11th from 2:00 " 8:00 p.m. with the family present from 6:00 " 8:00 p.m. at the Jurrens Funeral Home of George. In lieu of flowers family prefers memorials. Marlyn Eugene Symens was born March 15, 1938 in George, IA to Arthur and Gladys (Trei) Symens. He attended school at George before enlisting in the U.S. Army where he served for two years, a part of his tour was spent in Germany. Upon his return from the service he married Sharon Vaupel at Zoar Presbyterian Church on May 28, 1965. The young couple made their home in George. Marlyn worked as a truck driver and delivered grain in the George area his entire career. He logged many fruitful miles on lifes highway and made many friends throughout the years. Marlyn was working part-time at the George Elevator Co. where they treated him like family. He was working yet the day before he saw his local Doctor. He was very talented with fixing things. He could fix anything. His hobby was woodworking and spending time in his big garage. He was a perfectionist thru and thru. A well manicured lawn was Marlyns pride and joy, even if it meant mowing every five days. Besides his marriage and birth of daughter Jodi, the birth of his grandson Cameron was the happiest day of his life. Cameron was his special ray of sunshine until the very end. Marlyn especially enjoyed getting Cameron a malt every time he visited. A restored lil toddler Jeep is waiting for Cameron when he is old enough to drive it. God, family and friends were of Great importance to him. He was a lifetime member of the Zoar Presbyterian Church. He was baptized and married there. He served several terms as an elder, deacon and Sunday School Superintendent and Marlyn was on the pulpit search committee two times. On December 18, 2010 he was diagnosed with Melanoma Cancer. He had no symptoms and the cancer took his life three weeks later. He will be greatly missed. Marlyn is survived by his wife of 45 years, Sharon Symens of George, IA; daughter, Jodi (Scott) Ten Kley and their son, Cameron of Spencer, IA; brother, Burdell (Marlys) Symens of Windom, MN; brother, Delbert (Maxine) Symens of George, IA; sister, Elaine (Richard) Rypkema of Hot Springs Village, AR; brother, Art (Fern) Symens of Madison Lake, MN; brother, Dale (Pam) Symens of Coon Rapids, MN; sister-in-law, Mary (Al) Meister of Colton, SD, and many other extended family members. He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Gladys Symens; brother, Irvin Symens; and a special brother-in-law, Denny Vaupel. Blessed be his memory.