Marles Preheim

Marles Clair Preheim, 92, passed away on May 5, 2026, at Kidron Bethel Village in North Newton, Kansas. He was born on August 25, 1933, in Turner County, South Dakota to Edward P. and Bertha (Schwartz) Preheim.

Marles grew up alongside his younger sister, Mavis, on the family farm near Freeman, South Dakota, and deeply valued his roots in the small close-knit community. He was shaped from an early age by a large extended family and an intimate country school environment. He was also heavily influenced by his mother’s side of the family in Montana, a family that included artists and musicians.

Marles attended Freeman Academy and Freeman Jr. College, and it was here that he first explored and honed his musical skills, before transferring to Bethel College to complete his BA degree in 1955. At Bethel he met Norma Jean Voran, a fellow music student who would become his partner in all aspects of life. Together they celebrated 64 years of marriage, until her death in 2019.

After completing 1-W service at a hospital in Lincoln, NE, Marles received his Master of Music Education at Wichita State University. He then accepted a high school teaching job in Hillsboro, Kansas, where daughters Kay (1959) and Terri (1960) were born. In 1962 he returned to Freeman to teach music at the college. Here a particular highlight was the formation of the Freeman Jr. College Men’s Ensemble, a group with lasting bonds that honored him by reuniting 25 years later for a European tour. In 1963, the family welcomed a son, Brian, and Marles relished the shared love of sports that eventually developed between the two of them!

Bolstered by a desire to further his music education, in 1969 Marles began graduate studies at the College Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati, Ohio, completing his D.M.A. degree and creating relationships with his professors and fellow students that continued throughout his life.

Following choral conducting stints at Dakota State College in South Dakota, and Goshen College in Indiana, Marles enthusiastically returned to his alma mater, finishing with 22 years of teaching and conducting at Bethel College in Kansas before his retirement in 1999. His tenure was marked by high choral standards and creative collaboration. He treasured the connections with his students and colleagues, and their efforts to stay in touch greatly enriched his later days.

In each community, Marles shared his time and talents in both professional and personal settings, conducting church choirs, community choirs, and performing as a soloist for not only major choral works, but also weddings, funerals, community theater, and informal friend and family events.

Meaningful service highlights include directing a male chorus at the Hutchinson Correctional Facility for 2 years, leading an MCC sponsored choir tour to Syria in 2000, and his work with the Robert Shaw Sing-Along at Bethel College to benefit Arts in Prison.

A dedicated family man, Marles, together with Norma, created a warm, supportive, and fun environment for their children and grandchildren. Long remembered will be his kind, humble demeanor, his innate athleticism, a spirit of mentorship, and the connections he made and maintained through not only the making of music, but his tireless efforts to preserve the memories with countless recordings and photographs he shared so generously.

Marles is survived by his three children, Kay (Bradley) Siebert, Terri (Greg) Gaeddert, and Brian (Cynthia) Preheim. He has nine grandchildren - Aimee (Michael) Voth Siebert, Megan (Andrew Voth) Siebert, Jill (Braden Unruh) Siebert, Joel (Crystal) Gaeddert, Aaron (Hannah) Gaeddert, David (Leah) Gaeddert, Eric (Kiley) Preheim, Christopher Preheim and Caroline Preheim; and thirteen great grandchildren - Cadence Voth Siebert, Linden and Sylvia Siebert Voth, Mia and Dawson Siebert Unruh, Collin and Brett Gaeddert, Emmet, Henry, Eleanor and Otis Gaeddert, Fauna and Ezra Gaeddert. He is also survived by his sister, Mavis (Marlo) Ortman, sister-in-law Mildred Voran, and beloved nieces, nephews, and extended family.

A memorial service will be held at Bethel College Mennonite Church, North Newton, Kansas on Friday, June 19, 2026, at 3:00 pm.

Memorial contributions are designated to The Bethel College Choral Department c/o Petersen Funeral Home, 215 N. Main Street, Newton, Kansas 67114