Alden “Aldie”  Marburger

Alden “Aldie” Marburger, 89,  a longtime Racine, Minn., area farmer, died of natural causes on Tuesday, August 17, 2021, surrounded by his loving family, at Olmsted Medical Center Hospital in Rochester, Minn., where he had been a patient for the past week.

Alden Fredrick Marburger was born on June 1, 1932, in Spring Valley, Minn., to Emmert and Agnes (Anderson) Marburger. He grew up on the family farm,  attended country school and Stewartville H.S, graduating in 1950. He began farming with his family and in 1957 took over the Marburger Family dairy operation.  Alden was married on June 30, 1962, at Rushford Lutheran Church to Elsie Mae Anderson. Following their marriage the couple lived on the Marburger family farm where they raised their children and have continued to make their home. Alden farmed until 1995 when he sold his herd. He had a second career in the grocery business  at Hilltop Grocery in Spring Valley for one year and with Boyum Foods in Stewartville for a number of years, including as dairy manager. Elsie was an elementary school teacher before meeting Aldie and then was a homemaker and farmwife. Aldie was an active member of the Racine United Methodist Church, serving  as an usher and on various councils and sang in the choir.  He served on the Spring Valley Creamery Board for a number of years. He enjoyed playing church league softball as a younger man, doing  jigsaw puzzles and crosswords and followed the Minnesota Gophers, Vikes, Twins and all the Minnesota sports teams. Aldie enjoyed visiting with friends,  neighbors and customers at Boyum’s and loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

Aldie is survived by his wife of  59 years, Elsie; his daughter and two sons, Pastor Jon Marburger of Dexter, Minn.,  Elizabeth “Beth” (Ben) Befort of Rochester, Minn., and Mark Marburger of rural Spring Valley, Minn.;  two grandchildren, Grace Befort and Josh Befort; and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister  Ione Ballinger.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, August  20, 2021, at Racine United Methodist Church, with Rev. Bridget Sheely officiating. A time of visitation for family and friends will take place one hour prior to the service on Friday morning at  the United Methodist Church in Racine. The service will be streamed on Friday morning beginning at 10:45 a.m., on the funeral home website. Arrangements are with Griffin-Gray Funeral Home in Stewartville. Online condolences and memories of Aldie are welcome at www.griffin-gray.com