Kenneth "Ken" Marlin

Kenneth "Ken" Marlin died Wednesday, July 30, 2025. Born June 30, 1950, in Ottumwa, Iowa to Glenn Arthur Marlin and Chloe Mae (Dooley) Marlin. Ken received his public education in Wapello County (Highpoint) School District, graduating from Ottumwa High School in 1968. Ken earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from Truman State, Kirksville, Missouri in 1972. Ken married Joan Marie Bobeen of Troy, Missouri on June 24, 1974, in Anamosa and they had two sons, John and Jim.

Ken began his criminal justice career in 1973 as a corrections officer at the Anamosa State Penitentiary, retiring as Captain in 2005. Ken furthered his education and achieved a Master of Criminal Justice in 2005 from St. Ambrose University in Davenport. He continued his career by teaching criminal justice at Kaplan University in Cedar Rapids and as a residential officer at the Gerald Hinzman Center with the 6th Judicial District Department of Correctional Services, retiring in 2010.

Ken's lifelong interest in magic sparked at 10 years old while watching "The Ed Sullivan Show." Ken enjoyed performing magic for libraries and elementary schools and created his own show, Read to Succeed, emphasizing the importance of reading. In later years, Ken focused on collecting magic related items and centered on T. Nelson Downs, a world-famous magician from Marshalltown, Iowa. Downs was a true magic star during the late 1800s up until his death in 1938 and made his career doing coin magic. Ken authored a book on Downs (the only book on him known as of 2020) titled Remembering T. Nelson Downs, The King of Koins. Ken was a life member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians (I.B.M.), and a member of the Society of American Magicians, New England Magic Collectors Association, American Magic Museum, I.B.M. Ring 327 in Cedar Rapids, and I.B.M. Ring 11 in the Quad Cities.

Ken helped his friend's Iowa Magic Shop in Marion. Once it was decided that Iowa Magic Shop would close, Ken found an affordable location in Hiawatha and Ken's Magic Shop opened in March 2022. Ken's Magic Shop hosted the local magic club meetings for I.B.M. Ring 327 - The Fred Petrick (also known as Mombo) Ring.

Ken's family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the magic community for sharing kind words and memories, and specifically the plaque prepared for Ken at the AbraCORNdabra convention this year acknowledging Ken's Magic Shop as maintaining the sole brick-and-mortar in Iowa.

Beyond his interest in magic, Ken spent time volunteering for several organizations: Big Brothers Big Sisters, Junior Achievement, Boy Scouts of America, Hospice of Mercy, Cedar Rapids Police Department, and 6th Judicial Department of Correctional Services where he was recognized as Volunteer of the Year in 2012. Ken accompanied World War II Veterans on two Honor Flights to Washington, D.C., and had a passion for research, earning a certificate in Family History from Brigham Young University.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Joan Marlin in 2009. Ken met Sandra K. (Grant) Marlin in 2011 and enjoyed many years of travel and adventure.

Surviving Ken in death are his sons, John (Amy), Jim (Jennifer), grandchildren, Noah, Ella, Grace and Jackson; his wife, Sandra and her children, Gary (Laurel), Gordon (Stacy), Gregory (Denise), Brandi (Rob), many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and his brother, Richard (Patsy).

Honoring Ken's wishes, there will be no formal services. A private burial will be held at Riverside Cemetery in Anamosa. Memorials may be directed in Ken's name to Animal Welfare Friends in Monticello, Iowa.