Kenneth L. Marcellus

Kenneth L. “Ken” Marcellus, 83, originally from Humboldt and more recently from Brewster, NY, passed away on Friday, July 17th at Putnam County Hospital, Carmel, NY.

Ken was born December 21st, 1942, in Humboldt, Iowa, the son of Carl and Emma (Jacob) Marcellus and brother to Marilyn (Marcellus) Lindemann. He graduated from Humboldt High School, attended Fort Dodge Community College, received his bachelor of science degree from Iowa State University, and completed his PhD and post-doctoral research at Rutgers University in New Jersey, spending a total of 10 years in higher education. Ken majored in Fisheries and Wildlife Biology, extending a lifelong love of fishing and the outdoors developed on fishing trips with his family.

Ken worked at the fish hatchery in Humboldt during summers in high school and at hatcheries in North and South Dakota while in college. Upon completing his degree, Ken worked at Viriginia Institute of Marine Science before accepting a job with Consolidated Edison Company of New York (electricity generator and distributor for New York City) where he spent 30 years as Chief Biologist and Senior Environmental Scientist. As Ken said at his retirement party in 2002, he handled everything alive except people and electricity.

Ken continued to enjoy fishing and hunting into his adult years. He was a skilled woodworker and master handyman, completing every imaginable household repair or improvement, as well as designing and building projects like decks, furniture, and even small toys for his grandkids.

During retirement, Ken loved birdwatching and crisscrossing the United States and Canada in an RV with his wife.

He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Nancy Decker, son Kenneth L. Marcellus, Jr., daughter Andrea Marcellus, his grandchildren; Paige Marcellus, Charlotte Marcellus, Brooke Anthony, and Rocky Anthony, his nieces Denise Lindemann, Mary Kay (Lindemann) Bruihler, Sandra (Lindemann) Greuf, and his nephew, Michael Lindemann.

A memorial service will be held at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church on Saturday, September 26th at 10:30 AM with visitation at the church beforehand, followed by internment at Indian Mound Cemetery and a luncheon at Our Saviour’s.

To honor Ken’s memory, please consider planting a tree or donating to the Upper Des Moines Opportunity organization who help disadvantaged families in the Humboldt area. Please scan the QR code below to donate online.