Marlen Edwin Kroeplin, age 74, of Hope, ND, passed away peacefully under Hospice care at his home in Hope, on December, 30th, 2019. Marlen E. Kroeplin was born March 13, 1945 in Grand Forks, ND. He was born to Edwin and Lavoan (Volker) Kroeplin. Marlen was baptized in Inkster, ND, and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hope, ND, where he was a member. Marlen attended and graduated from Hope High School in 1963, and attended Mayville State College before joining the Army National Guard for 6 years. Later he worked at Sioux Land Meat in Fargo, ND, followed by Galesburg Great Plains Lumber. Marlen spent the rest of his career working in construction, starting with his brother Wayne, then going on his own, and eventually working side by side with his son Paul. Marlen married Kathy Lande on July 1, 1967, they raised 3 children in Finley, ND. On October 14, 2000, Marlen married Debra Jacobsen in Hope, ND, where they raised Maranda. Some of Marlen’s hobbies included golf, his love of dancing, playing cards and shooting pool. Marlen was a past member of the Finley Fire Department and a deacon and church council member at the Finley Lutheran Church. Marlen is survived by his wife Debra, his children, Paul (Angie) Kroeplin, and their children, Kendra, Katelyn, Kylie and Kathryn; Brenda (Jonathan) Erickson, and their children, Justin (Paige) Erickson and Alivia; Kari (Dan) Bryant and their children, Jana, Brooke, Abby, and Krista; Maranda Jacobsen, two brothers, Kenneth (Sharon) Kroeplin, Hope, ND; Keven Kroeplin, Warren, MN; two sisters, Donna Kroeplin, Devils Lake, ND; Susan (Keith) Flaten, Hope, ND; many nieces and nephews. Marlen was preceded in death by his parents Edwin and Lavoan Kroeplin, and two brothers, Wayne and Royce Kroeplin. Visitation will be from 5 - 7 pm with a Prayer Service at 7 pm Thursday, January 2, 2019 in the Trinity Lutheran Church, Hope, ND and continue Friday, January 3, 2020 from 9:30 – 10:30 followed by a Funeral Service at 10:30 am. To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of MARLEN KROEPLIN, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.