William "Bill" Marlenee

William “Bill” Leo Marlenee, of Minot, North Dakota, formerly of Stanton, North Dakota, passed away on November 22, 2025, in Minot. Services will be held at 2:00 PM CT on Saturday, November 29, 2025 at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Stanton,with Pastor Dennis Ristvedt officiating. Burial will follow at Stanton City Cemetery, Stanton.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church.

Bill was born on September 17, 1948, in Hazen, North Dakota, to Gay (Rowe) and Melvin Marlenee. He grew up north of Stanton along the Missouri River at the Marlenee family home. The river was a special place to him—its natural beauty, the wildlife, and the community of people who also called Stanton and the Missouri River home. Though he spent his final two years in Minot with his wife, Debra, to be closer to her family, the river was always his true home.

Bill entered the United States Army on January 10, 1967, and served his country proudly until December 14, 1969, including a tour of duty in Vietnam. After returning home, he worked first with Ironworkers Local 793 until an injury then as millwright with Local 1091, where he was a strong supporter of the trades and his union brothers.

Classic Bill was loud, opinionated, stubborn—and deeply devoted to his family. He tried to keep a tough exterior, but inside he was a man who loved and wanted to be loved. He loved his sisters, brother, and parents immensely, and losing his sister Karen this past summer was devastating for him. Bill was the type of guy who thought his family was the best at everything. He laughed loudly, shared generously—offering people a place to stay or a kind word—and was forever slipping his granddaughters a twenty-dollar bill for “helping” Grandma. He enjoyed the company of his friends and could often be found in his garage or at the cabin, tinkering and making himself look busy. At home, he pretended he was in charge, but everyone knew Deb was the one truly running the show, and he loved her for it.

Bill is survived by his wife of 25 years Debra; his three stepchildren, Shannon (Terri) Torgerson, Kari (Shawn) Halverson and Dustin (Sarah) Torgerson; his granddaughters, Delaney (Halverson) Hauf, Laikyn Halverson, and Bella Torgerson; his sister, Phyllis (Keith) Grosz; his brother, Grant (Peggy); and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Melvin; his mother, Gay; his sister, Karen; and his niece, Holly Marlenee.

The family requests that memorials be made to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Stanton, North Dakota, or to the charity of your choice.

Arrangements are conducted by Barbot Funeral Home, Beulah and Hazen.

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