Marlyn M. Buss

Marlyn Milton Buss, age 88, of Lake Crystal, died Friday, July 11, 2025, on what would have been his 55th wedding anniversary.

A Service Celebrating Marlyn’s Life will be 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at the First Presbyterian Church, Lake Crystal. Visitation will be from 9:00-11:00 a.m., Tuesday at the church. Interment will be in Lake Crystal Cemetery. Lake Crystal Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Memorials are preferred to the Lake Crystal Baseball Association.

Marlyn was born July 25, 1936, to Milton P. and Mildred A. (Mathews) Buss in Mankato. He graduated from Lake Crystal High School in 1954 and South Dakota State University, Brookings in 1959 with a degree in Ag Education, where he also ran track.

Marlyn served his country with the US Army.

Marlyn was united in marriage to Margaret M. Faltin on July 11, 1970, in Dodge, Nebraska.

Marlyn was a farmer and entrepreneur all his life. He organized and ran the Midwest Livestock and Farm Equipment Show in Minneapolis.

Marlyn revitalized Farmfest, which was held from 1982-89 at his father Milton’s home farm place in Lake Crystal. He then moved Farmfest to Austin, MN, from 1990-94 and finally to Morgan, MN, in 1995. He started Dakotafest in 1996 in Mitchell, SD. He created a corn maze in Lake Crystal.

Marlyn loved his family and spending time with his grandkids. He enjoyed baseball, classic cars, especially his 1929 Ford Model A Roadster, watching sports, and eating at the Dairy Queen.

Marlyn was a true SDSU Jackrabbits sports fan and had season tickets for many years. He also loved MN sports, having season tickets for MN Vikings, Gophers, and attending ’65 and ’87 World Series. He also had many pilgrimages to Wrigley Field to watch his beloved Cubs.

Marlyn is survived by his three children, Vickie (Marcos) Portes, Dan (Stephanie) Buss, and David (Aimee) Buss; seven grandchildren, Kelcie (Dustin) Paxson, Kaela Parsons, Madelyn, Colton, and Jackson Buss, Remmer and Lincoln Buss; three great grandchildren, Eva, Odessa, and Freyja Paxson; sister, Audrey Buss; brother and sisters-in-law, Aaron (Doris) Faltin and Eunice Kokrda; nieces, nephews, and extended family.

Marlyn was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Margaret in 2023; sister, Bonnie (Charles) Balzer.