Marion Tien was born December 9, 1937 to John and Pauline (Van Kooten) Tien on the family farm near Prairie View, KS. He went to be with his Lord and Savior on March 26, 2024, at the age of 86.
Marion first attended Luctor country school through the eighth grade, and then attended Long Island High School, graduating in 1955. After briefly working on the construction of the Luctor/Long Island road, he joined the family farm and continued farming into his 80’s. While farming he raised cattle, hogs, sheep and horses, including his teams of draft horses that he used both in parades with his carefully restored wagon and preparing the Phillipsburg rodeo arena. He was an active leader for the Lone Prairie 4H Club helping with leathercraft and various livestock projects. He also was a Farm Bureau member and was proud to be recognized as having a Century Farm.
On November 12, 1965, Marion married his sweetheart, Joyce Mae Bayens at Luctor Christian Reformed Church. To this union were born 4 children; Larry, Sandra, Lisa, and Loren. He was a kind and dedicated father raising his children in a loving, Christ-centered home while instilling in them a strong work ethic and appreciation for the life of a farmer and rancher. Marion also loved his role as a grandfather to 7 grandchildren and 2 great-granddaughters.
The church played a very important role in Marion’s life, beginning with his baptism on January 9, 1938. Over the years Marion served in a variety of roles at the Luctor Christian Reformed Church as a deacon, elder, building committee member and cemetery board member.
He was preceded in death by his parents John and Pauline Tien, his sister Thelma Vaandrager, and his brother Henry Tien.
He is survived by his wife Joyce of Prairie View; his children; Larry (Nancy) of Prairie View, Sandra (Dan Zylstra) of Mishawaka, IN, Lisa (Scott Yantes) of Hutchison, KS, and Loren (Wendy) Benton, KS; grandchildren: Allison (Timon Nimtz), Amanda (Jon Buehler), Nathan (Liz) Zylstra, John Zylstra, Madilyn Yantes, Ivalea Tien, and Andrew Tien; and 2 great-granddaughters: Noa Nimtz and Elsie Zylstra.
A funeral service for Marion will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, March 30, 2024, at the Luctor Christian Reformed Church, with Pastor Shawn Richardson officiating. Burial will follow at the Luctor Cemetery.
Marion will lie in-state on Thursday from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., with a visitation from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday afternoon at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel in Phillipsburg.
Memorial contributions may be made to Luctor Christian Reformed Church or Phillips County 4-H.