Service Information
Marlyn Bacon, age 72, of Hutchinson, formerly Winthrop, Minnesota, passed away on Friday, February 6, 2026, at Woodstone Senior Living in Hutchinson.
Memorial Service will be Saturday, February 14, 2026, 1:00 P.M., at Peace Lutheran Church in Winthrop, with interment in The Winthrop Cemetery in Winthrop.
Gathering of Family and Friends will be Friday, February 13, 2026, from 4:00-7:00 P.M., and one hour prior to the service, ALL at the church.
Obituary
Marlyn Walter Bacon was born on November 15, 1953, in Manchester, Iowa. He was the son of Walter and Wanda (Sandhagen) Bacon. He grew up on a farm near Garnavillo, Iowa.
After high school, Marlyn attended Northeast Iowa Community College in Calmar, Iowa, graduating with an agronomy degree. He worked for Ker McGee (more recently known as Crop Production Services) in Iowa for a short time before being transferred to the Winthrop, Minnesota, plant in 1973. Marlyn was employed with the company for 42 years. He took great pride in his work and his relationships with his customers.
Marlyn married Doris Harbarth on February 21, 1976. This marriage was blessed with two children, Lonnie and Marlene. He married Renee (Walz) Smith on September 12, 1998. Marlyn gained a step-son, Charles. At that time, he moved to Hutchinson, Minnesota. Renee passed away on May 14, 2008. Marlyn married Laurie Vasko on April 13, 2013.
Marlyn was active in his church and community. He was a youth activities coordinator at Peace Lutheran Church in Winthrop, served on the Winthrop ambulance for 24 years, participated in Kiwanis, Grackle Committees, and Variety Shows. Marlyn also worked as a part time bus driver for around 45 years in Iowa, Winthrop, and Hutchinson.
Marlyn always had a joke and a laugh to share. He was a very social guy and had many hobbies. Many of his hobbies required frequent trips to his favorite place, Menards. So many trips that the employees called him by name.
Marlyn enjoyed spending time in Proehl’s woods harvesting and splitting wood. He had several motorcycles through his life and was a member of the Wednesday Night Motorcycle group. Marlyn and Laurie also enjoyed riding themselves or with smaller groups of friends. He was an Excel spreadsheet guru having hundreds of different ones from complex crop planning/pricing spreadsheets, to agendas, speaking notes, or simple lists and a daily calendar of events. Marlyn’s alter ego was “Crispy Bacon”. Crispy, along with Beans, Smiley Mae, and Gabby Dots spent many enjoyable afternoons walking parade routes or clowning at fundraisers. Marlyn is best known as the “Candy Cane Man”, making over 3700 candy canes over the years out of PVC pipe and Christmas lights. The candy canes brought smiles and joy to many people. His favorite part was meeting people and seeing them so happy to have a candy cane. That legacy will live on.
Spending time with his family and friends was an important part of his life. Whether it was watching a ball game, listening to a band or choir concert, he was the grandkids’ biggest fan. There were many trips to Iowa to visit family and many gatherings with friends.
Marlyn passed away on Friday, February 6, 2026, at Woodstone Senior Living, at the age of 72 years.
Blessed be his memory.
Marlyn is survived by his:
Wife, Laurie Bacon;
Children, Lonnie Bacon and his wife, Jeanine,
Marlene Barfknecht and her husband, Daren;
Step-son, Charles Smith and his wife, Pam;
Grandchildren, Kalvin and Keaton Barfknecht, Emersyn and Madisyn Bacon;
Step-grandchildren, Connor (Brook) Smith, Emma (Ryan) Brown;
Mother-in-law, Charlotte Vasko;
Sister, Dianne Torrey;
Sisters-in-law, Becky Bacon,
Sue (Bob) Schantzen;
Brothers-in-law, Randy (Shelly) Vasko,
Bob (Eileen) Vasko;
Many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Marlyn is preceded in death by his Parents, Walter and Wanda Bacon; Sister, Mary Lou Champion; Brothers, David and Wayne Bacon; Brother-in-law, Gary Torrey; Niece, Elaine Torrey.
Cindy Gregorius says
Dear Laurie,
I am so sorry for your loss.i loved the time I got to spend with Marlyn in the clown group, driving school bus, and also just visiting. I always watched for him to be visible at home when I came around the corner with the bus so I could honk at him. And I so admired the work with his candy canes.
Such a loss for you, his friends, and the community.
Rodney Fischer says
To the Bacon family:
Marlyn was definitely a community person no matter where he lived, he was dedicated to the community to make it feel like “home”. It was my pleasure to have known him for most of my life. RIP Sir.
Ella Kruse says
Laurie,
I’m so sorry to hear about Marlyn. I always have, and will continue to think about him every time I see a candy cane in a front yard at Christmas time. He left quite a legacy!
Praying for peace and comfort during your time of loss.
Anita says
Laurie,
I am so sorry to hear of Marlyn’s passing. Hold tight to the memories made and love shared.
Gail Rach says
So sorry to hear about Marlyn. I wish you could have had more time, but you made the most of what you had.
Bridget Peller says
The most gentle man!
November 15, Marlyn. I will always remember!
Thank you, sweet neighbor. Rest easy. We will take it from here.
Love and prayers for you and the big Bacon/Smith/Vasco family, Laurie.
Kathy M. says
My hubby and I took a class on making the candy canes. You
were both so helpful and kind during the class.
I was blessed to have met the “candy cane man” in person.
Our sympathies to his entire family on his death.
John and Linda Kalenberg says
So sorry for your loss…what a wonderful man and we always enjoyed seeing him at the Elks on burger night
Will always think of “The Candy Cane Man” when we decorate with our candy canes here at the farm.
Our prayers,
John and Linda Kalenberg
Colleen Wagner says
Laurie,
So sorry to hear about Marlyn.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and the Bacon family!
Gene M. says
Laurie,
I am so sorry to read about your loss. He seemed by a fabulous individual with many enjoyable aspects of his and your life with him.
God bless.
Gene Mackedanz
Jaime Topero says
I am so sorry for your loss. He brought so many great memories to our community.
Vonnie and Steve Schramm says
We only knew Marlin through meet ups at the Elks burger night. He always had a smile we would share a little dollar birthday joke. What a delight it was to know him. Our thoughts and prayers are with you in the loss of this sweet man.
Vonnie and Steve Schramm
Brooke Thrall says
Deepest sympathies for your whole families loss of this amazing man who truly left kindness and love and legacy wherever he went. He truly loved his neighbors and the candy canes moved with us from Hutch to the Twin Cities.
– from 530 Lincoln-
Hugs- Brooklynn Thrall
Jane & Ron Thein says
Laurie,
We are so sorry for your loss. Marlyn was a super guy and super friend. And, his sense of humor was unique! But he had a very serious side as well. He gave so much of himself for others. He will be sorely missed at our class reunions. We owe a lot to him for the past reunions, he was often the one to initiate and urge the organizers on. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Laurie, and the family. Hugs!
Jane & Ron
Mary Ann Dettman says
Laurie, My sympathy to you and the entire Bacon family. Hutchinson will miss the Candy Cane Man.
Mary Ann
Carol Guggisberg says
Laurie and family, so sorry to hear about Marlyn. I am still in Texas so won’t be able to attend funeral. My thoughts and prayers will be with you. He will be missed
Carol Weber says
I’m so so sorry for your loss. I smile when I remember seeing him in a parade and the joy he was having making others smile and laugh. What a generous human! His candy canes and the joy he brought to those receiving them and those he showed how to make them will live on! May his light shine bright as he floods heaven with laughter and candy canes!
Jackie Rosenow says
Our sympathy to your family on Marlyn’s death. He touched so many lives with his sincere personality. May the Lord give you comfort.
Marci Henningson says
Lonnie and family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you…May god bless Marlyn and his memory live on through you all…
Milt, Mike, Melissa & Marci Henningson
Cindy Klitzke says
So sorry or your loss. Our sympathy and condolences to the Bacon and Vasko family. God bless you all. Our prayers are with you during this sad time.
Cindy Klitzke and Floyd Lhotka
Fred Schmoll says
Laurie
I am so sorry for your loss. It was a pleasure to meet Marlyn and you at Hardee’s for coffee. Those times are missed.
Fred
Lavonne Hindermann says
Proud to have one of his handmade candy canes.
And to be a neighbor.
Also to help him out when needed. RIP Marlyn
Bruce novotny says
So Sorry to hear this Laurie!!
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family!
Sheila Jaster says
So sorry for your loss Laurie.