Marlon Gene Nelk

Marlon “Marly” Gene Nelk, of Wilmot, South Dakota, passed away on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, in the comforts of his home, with his wife Rhonda by his side, at the age of 67.

He was born on August 1, 1958, in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Beverly (Boese) and Kenneth Nelk. He was raised in rural Wheaton, Minnesota and attended Wheaton High School where he graduated in 1976. He began his carpentry career with Jim Doll, and they established a successful business of Doll & Nelk Construction in the mid-1980s that was longstanding for nearly 30 years.

He married Rose Nelk (Asmus) on October 22, 1983, in Wheaton. Together they were blessed with three children: Ryan, Rochelle, and Rhonda. He was an active member of the bowling league in Wheaton and the Wheaton Lions Club. He spent many years watching his children’s sporting events, camping, and boating with family and friends. He was promoted to grandpa with the additions of Kenadi, Lane, Caleb, Dilynn, Cullen, Alexis, and Kaitlyn and spent his time spoiling them any chance he could.

After the passing of Rose Nelk in 2005, he met and was married to Rhonda Nelk (McFarlane) on April 20, 2013, in Wilmot, South Dakota where he then resided. He welcomed with open arms step-daughters Lindsey and Tessa. He continued to enjoy camping and creating many works of art with his carpentry skills building play sets, playhouses, and more for his growing number of grandchildren, including Mila, Joslyn, Sophia, and Dalilah.

Marly will be remembered by his quick wit, ‘smart’ remarks, booming laugh, and his weekends of poking fun at Packers fans in his Vikings gear. He had a talent for finding a way to create a gadget to fix an inconvenience and a person never knew what he would create next. He even created gadgets to hold and store the gadgets accumulated over the years.

Marlon is survived by his wife, Rhonda Nelk of Wilmot, SD; three children: Ryan (Bradie) Nelk of Wheaton, MN; Rochelle Kays of Moorhead, MN; and Rhonda Savaloja of Detroit Lakes, MN; step-children: Lindsey (Pavlo) Dorosh of Wilmot, SD; and Tessa McFarlane of Wilmot, SD; eleven grandchildren: Lane and Dilynn Nelk, Kenadi, Caleb, and Cullen Kays, Alexis and Kaitlyn Savaloja, Mila, Joslyn, Sophia, and Dalilah Dorosh; siblings, Cathy Nelk of Breckenridge, MN; Jon (Terry) Nelk of Fairmont, ND; and Marlys (Russ) Tweiten of Sisseton, SD; many brothers- and sisters-in-law; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Marlon was preceded in death by his parents and his wife Rose Nelk.

Pallbearers are Richard Johnson, Kevin Lindgren, Randy Prasnicki, Billy Mathies, and his eleven grandchildren. Honorary pallbearers include the members of the Wheaton Lions Club.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday, August 30, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Wilmot, SD with Rev. Peter Reynen officiating. Visitation will be held Friday, August 29th from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. Prayer Service at the church. Visitation will continue Saturday morning one hour prior to service time at the church. Interment will be held Saturday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. in St. John Lutheran Cemetery, rural Wheaton, with Rev. Sheila Pohl officiating.