Marvin E. Bulau

Marvin Ernest Bulau, a well known concertina player from the Arlington area, passed away on Sunday, May 2^nd 2021 at the University of Minnesota Medical Center in Minneapolis. A private burial service for the immediate family is being planned with Pastor Matthew Rauh, from the St Pauls Lutheran Church in Arlington at the Arlington Public Cemetery. A celebration of life for friends and family is also planned for Sunday, June 13^th from 1:00-4:00PM at the Glencoe City Center.

Marvin was born on July 17, 1941 to Ernest and Clara (Dahlke) Bulau. He was an only child. Marvin was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in New Auburn Township. He graduated from the Arlington-Green Isle school in 1959. He started playing the concertina as a teenager in a three piece band and later played for the Wally Pikal Band and George’s Concertina Band. He enjoyed playing concertina in parades, for the area nursing homes and the annual Arlington Breakfast on the Farm event. He also farmed with his father and eventually took over the family farm after his dad passed. He started working at the Arlington Enterprise right after graduation and worked there for over 50 years until he retired in 2013, due to a heart condition. Marvin enjoyed playing concertina, traveling, staying in Florida during the winter with his wife Irene, and spending time with family and friends.  

Marvin married Irene Riebe on June 22, 1963, had four children and lived on the family farm near Arlingon. He was a gentle and kind man and a wonderful and loving husband, father and grandfather. He is survived by his wife Irene, daughters Leslee Miller of Arlington, Lisa Mehlhop (Brian) of Arlington, Lynn Wills of Tampa, Florida, and son Christopher Bulau (Kendra Williams) of Brownton. Grandchildren Billy McCormick (Krista) and Brandon Walstad, Adam Mehlhop (Ashley), Mathew and Michaela Meffert (Zach), Lilly Bulau, Skyler (Erik), Zachary (Melanie), Kenzie (Emma) and Peyton Bulau. Great grandchildren include Casin Blakeman, Austin Seefeldt, Alexander and Hudson Ince, and Finley & Haisley Bulau, and sister-in-laws Selma Dose and Evelyn Dittmer. He was preceded in death by his parents Ernest and Clara Bulau, father and mother in-law Henry and Lillie Riebe, son-in-law John Meffert, brother-in-laws Willmar Dose and Alfred Dittmer.

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