Marlin John Schmitten's Obituary
In the late afternoon of December 10, 2022, Marlin John Schmitten of San Diego, passed away at the age of 90.
Marlin was born on July 12, 1932, in Zell, South Dakota to parents Paul and Mabel Schmitten. Marlin and his twin sister Marilyn had five older brothers: LeRoy, Bob, Duane, Richard and Milford. It was a sense of pride for him to have been raised on a farm and he often expressed that he wished everyone could have been so lucky. He graduated from Marion High School in Marion, South Dakota in 1950. Most of the family made their way to Southern California and Marlin arrived in San Diego in 1952 with his parents and twin sister.
Marlin worked at Piggly Wiggly Grocery Store for a few years before becoming a time clerk at Convair in 1956. He ended up a long time Solar Turbines employee working in payroll, retiring from there in the early 90s. Everybody loved him at Solar, they called him “Magic Marlin”, and he was known for his helpfulness and friendliness.
Marlin married the love of his life Joan Walter in 1959. They met in the St. John’s Catholic Church choir and celebrated 54 years of marriage until her death in 2014. They raised 2 children: Katie and Karl. After they both retired, they enjoyed singing in the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church choir, traveling, entertaining and socializing and they loved to go on cruises with dear friends. Marlin was an avid gardener, and his backyard was well known as “Marlin’s Garden.” Marlin and Joan were proud, loving grandparents, and Marlin was fortunate to be a great-grandfather as well.
Marlin is survived by daughter Kate Duchnick, her spouse Les Duchnick, son Karl Schmitten; grandchildren Katrina Bailey, her spouse Miles Bailey, Riley Schmitten, his spouse Nicole Schmitten, Jamie Schmitten, Derek Schmitten; great-grandchildren Quentin Bailey, Sara Schmitten and Riley Schmitten Jr. He is fondly remembered by a multitude of nieces and nephews and his dear sisters in law Vonnie, Jean, Judy, Janis and Joan, as well as cousins Aves and Corlyss.
Marlin was a soft spoken, kind, gentle man. He always had a gleam in his eye and a nice word about everyone. He loved a good martini or an old fashioned. He was loved and will be greatly missed.
The family wants to give appreciation and gratitude to the kind employees at Stellar Care Memory Care Facility as well as the caring nurses at Sharp Memorial Hospital 6 Floor West.
Viewing will be held Monday, December 19 from 3-7 pm a Clairemont Mortuary, 4266 Mt. Abernathy Avenue, San Diego, CA 92117
Funeral Mass will be held Tuesday, December 20 at 10:00 am. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 2540 San Diego Avenue, San Diego, CA 92110
Interment Service to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, 4470 Hilltop Drive, San Diego, CA 92102
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