Marion R. Gill, age 84 of Perham, died Thursday, December 22, 2022, at Perham Living.
Marion was born November 14, 1938, in Spring Valley, Minn., to Donald and Evelyn (Larson) Gill.
He attended and graduated from Spring Valley, Minn. Marion was co-captain of the football team in the 1956-57 school year. After finishing high school, he worked for the Fillmore County Soil Conservation District in Preston, Minn. He remained with the Soil Conservation Service in East Otter Tail and Stearns County until 1969.
On July 11, 1958, Marion was united in marriage to Donna Buchholtz at Summer Center United Methodist Church in Spring Valley. In 1959, they relocated to Perham to be in lake country.
In 1967, Marion earned his pilot’s license after trading a snowmobile for flying lessons. He logged over 5000 hours of flying time. He and his family joined the Minnesota Flying Farmers in 1971. They attended State and International meetings and conventions.
Marion had a vision and made his dream of living on a lake come true 1970 when they purchased a farm on Devil’s Lake. It was here that he and Donna created the Aerovilla Housing Development. He had a vision of having an airplane landing strip on his property that would connect to homes.
Marion worked for Ronald Offutt Potato Co. for 35 years in many roles such as purchasing/leasing land, purchasing chemicals, and fertilizer.
Marion loved to socialize and even after he was diagnosed with dementia approximately six years ago, he never lost his sense of humor. He was a member of many committees and clubs.
When Marion was not flying, his other hobbies included hunting deer and fishing. He especially loved catching sunfish on Little Devils Lake.
Marion is survived by his wife Donna Gill, children Susan (Larry) Toms and Richard (Jill) Gill, both of Perham; his sister Ann (Bob) Jensen of Byron, Minn.; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents Donald and Evelyn Gill.
Visitation was held 4-7 p.m. with a prayer service at 6:30 on Monday, December 26 at Schoeneberger Funeral and Cremation Service in Perham. Visitation resumed at 10 a.m. followed by the funeral service at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, December 27 at the funeral home. Interment took place in Calvary Memorial Cemetery near Perham.
Schoeneberger Funeral & Cremation Service, Perham, Minn., (218) 346-5175, www.schoenebergerfh.com, assisted the family.