Lasting Memories
Marlo Gilbert Prehn
Oct. 4, 1927-June 3, 2016
Mountain View, California
Marlo Gilbert Prehn, passed away in Mountain View, California, on June 3, 2016. He lived in Palo Alto for 47 years before moving to Mountain View to retire with his wife, Ruth.
He was born on a farm in Clear Lake, South Dakota in 1927. After graduating from high school he joined the Merchant Marines in 1945. In December of 1946 he married his childhood sweetheart, Ruth Staley, with whom he had four children. He moved from South Dakota to Palo Alto in 1953 where he worked for Oddstad Homes, which was responsible for building 17,000 homes in the Bay Area as well as numerous office buildings and shopping centers in Redwood City and Pacifica. He started out as an equipment operator, moved to accounting, then property manager and finally a real estate broker for the company. In 1971 he was able to open his own real estate company, Prehn Realty, and continued to work in real estate until his retirement in 2000. He lived a full and wonderful life. He enjoyed spending time with his family, travelling, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and made friends wherever he went with his amazing sense of humor and kindness.
He is survived by his wife of almost 70 years, Ruth Prehn, and four children, Mark Prehn, Nancy Boling, Gary Prehn and Joy Helsaple. He also leaves behind eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. A celebration of life is being planned in early October. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Marlo's name to The Make A Wish Foundation.
June 18, 2016
Dearest Ruth & family, I was so sad to hear of your beloved Marlo's death. I have such fond memories of times I spent with you and Marlo. He was always so full of fun and always on his A game with his humor. Just thinking about him makes me smile as he always had someone smiling or laughing.I know how much you loved him and will miss him. He was a gem. Love from South Dakota.
June 16, 2016
My condolences to the Prehn family. Remembering living next to the Prehns in the early sixties--what great neighbors! And the wonderful continuity of 'old' Palo Alto when Joy regaled with stories of the past to those gathered to remember my brother Mark after he passed. I will always remember! Wishing you peace. Glenn Lawrence
June 7, 2016
I remember Marlo's wonderful smile and gentle demeanor. While I hadn't seen Marlo in years, I know he was a treasured father, husband, grandfather and friend to the many lives he touched. He will be missed by many.
June 7, 2016
I wrote this for Marlow so if you are able to get this back to his daughter somehow would mean a lot to me.... There's people that come in and out your life for many reasons, weather it is good or bad, in this case a wonderful person dear to my heart came into mine who would always put the biggest smile on my face. During my time at PC I got to know him as he would come in order a coke and the oyster basket with fries, it didn't matter what time of day it was, that's what he always ordered. He would humor me with all his funny jokes and have me so interested with his stories, MY FAVORITE WAS HOW HE AND HIS WIFE MET😊. His name was Marlow and he wasn't just any guest he was family, Marlow was an elderly gentleman who every time came in to dine with us just lit up the room with his presence, no matter what mood I was in my eyes would fill with joy to see him, and as I would help him out to his car he always had something funny to say. I just got word that my dear friend has joined our lord in heaven and I'm so full of tears and emotion right now. He was a great person that I will never ever forget and will always stay dear to my heart. We had a bond some wouldn't understand along with some of the other PC employees😔. I will never forget him and he will always have a place in my heart..