Marlan D. Barstow was born on July 6, 1927 in Larned, Kansas, to his parents Paul and Jennie (Gore) Barstow. He passed away on Friday, October 30, 2020 in Ainsworth, Nebraska.
He grew up on the family farm near Macksville, Kansas. After graduating from Macksville High School, he attended Fort Hays State University. Marlan’s college career was interrupted by the Korean War. He served in the army from 1951-1953 in Germany, where he developed a life-long love of that country. When he finished his army service, he returned to farming at Macksville. There he met and married Shirley McVey in 1957.
Marlan and Shirley purchased a ranch near Springview, Nebraska in 1976 to raise Angus cattle. Marlan and his son Neri raised registered Angus breeding stock as Barstow Angus until Marlan’s retirement in 2005.
His passions in life were his Angus cattle, raising Quarter horses, and playing the harmonica he purchased in Germany during his years there. He has enjoyed regularly serenading the staff and residents of Cottonwood Villa over the past 2 years.
Marlan was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Jennie Barstow; his sisters, Paula Walker and Alice Morgan; his daughter in law, Patty Barstow; and his granddaughter, Sheena Barstow.
He is survived by his wife, Shirley; sons, Derek and Neri Barstow; daughters, Tamara (Jim Quisenberry) Barstow, Tracy (James) Burnham, Suzy (Mike Sissel) Barstow; stepson Randy (Becky) McVey; Thirteen grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; brother, Henry Barstow; and many nieces, nephews and other family members.
A celebration of life is being planned for next summer (2021). Memorials may be made to the family in Marlan’s name for a future designation.