Mankato - Marion Haayer, beloved father of Sarah and Matthew and husband of Barbara, was born in Buffalo Center, Iowa on December 29, 1949. He died in his home of a terminal illness on January 9, 2026.

In 1965 he attended Mankato State college where he majored in Health and Physical Education and played offensive/defensive tackle for Coach Bob Otto. In 1967 he married Barbara Hanson of Bricelyn, MN. Sarah was born in 1972 and Matthew in 1976.

Marion was drafted by the Army in 1969 and served in Ft. Lewis Washington where he was Post Dependent Youth Activities Director. After he returned to Mankato and completed his Master's Degree he taught at Wayne State College in Nebraska as wrestling coach, assistant football coach and health instructor. He was honored to take his wrestlers to international competition.

The family returned to Mankato in 1977 where Marion worked for Lundin Construction. After twenty years he took a job as North Mankato Emergency Management Director and Building Inspector.

His friends will remember him as a man who lived to help others with his many skills. Like a Boy Scout his motto was "Be Prepared." Everyone who cared about him benefited from his responsible nature and his steady presence will be missed.

Marion's hobbies were elk hunting, target shooting, motorcycling, fishing with a friend, camping and tinkering in the garage. He enjoyed memberships in the MSC Vet's Club, Patriot Guards, Dry Riders and Vietnam Era Last Man's Club.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Margaret and Herman, and all six brothers- Carl, Harry, Herman Jr., Gene, Ronald and Bruce.

The family thanks St. Croix Hospice, Blue Earth County Veteran's Service and close friends who were his earthly angels. Interment services will be held at Graceland Cemetery, Buffalo Center, Iowa on Saturday June 6th at 2PM with a social hour afterwards at United Methodist Church, Buffalo Center.