Marial (Mario) Marx, age 69, passed away Saturday, April 21, 2018 at Hoisington, Kansas. He was born December 23, 1948 in Warden, Free State, South Africa the youngest son of Thomas Ignatius Marx and Emilia (Lourens) Marx. He lived his early childhood years in Hluhluwe and later in Vryheid, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa, where he graduated from High School. He graduated in Agronomy from the Cedara Agricultural College.

Farming was his passion – he bred and raised Brahman cattle, and also grew cotton and supplied the fresh produce market with tomatoes. In 2001 he arrived in the USA and worked at the hog farms of Steve Cox in Long Island, KS. In 2006 he had to return to South Africa to wait for his Green Card. In 2007 he, accompanied by his wife Vera, arrived in the USA as permanent residents with their Green Cards in hand. He was known for his sheep, which he bred and raised under the name of Skunk Creek Dorpers. Despite some health problems he also worked at Ralston Construction and the Co-ops in Kensington and Phillipsburg. After suffering a serious stroke in February 2016, he was no longer able to work, but continued farming with his beloved sheep. Typically, South African, he would always convince visitors to stay a bit longer and enjoy a braai (barbeque).

His father Thomas, mother Emilia and brother Jan preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife Vera from Phillipsburg, brother Tommie, sister Emilia, son Tommie and his children Tamica, Xander and Zantus, daughter Yvonne and son-in-law Ferdie van Heerden and their children Werner and Marizelle – all from South Africa. He recently went on vacation to South Africa and was able to spend December and January visiting with his family.

A memorial service will be held Thursday, May 3 at 11:00 a.m. in the Luctor Christian Reformed Church, with Pastor Aaron Rust officiating. Cremation was chosen. Memorial donations in memory of Marial may be made to the Marial Marx Memorial Fund.