MARSHALL R. SYMBOL

Big Lake resident Marshall R. Symbol, 56, died at his home April 14, 2002, due to complications of cancer.

A service will be at 3 p.m., Saturday, April 20, at Faith Bible Fellowship in Big Lake, with Pastor Ethan Hansen officiating. A public visitation will be from 2 to 3 p.m. Pallbearers will be LeRoy Symbol, Chester Malanowski, Kevin McCann, Robert Kottre, Charlie Bare, Nick Muntean, Tom Stolting, Jeff Walters and Phil Young.

Mr. Symbol was born Oct. 9, 1945, in Chicago. He completed high school, then served two tours of duty in Vietnam. He was a member of the Anchorage Christian Center from 1983-89 and a member and deacon of Faith Bible Fellowship in Big Lake from 1990-2001.

He enjoyed being with his family, and shooting pool at home. He spent many hours playing pool with friends and family.

Mr. Symbol met the love of his life, Patsy Solberg, in 1954 in third grade. They married in 1967 in Grayslake, Ill. In 1972 they moved to northcentral Wisconsin, fulfilling his life long dream of having his own farm. When Wisconsin's economy turned bad in 1982, Mr. Symbol headed "north to Alaska," where he found work as a carpenter. His wife and three children, LeRoy, Laura and Lolly, followed him six months later. They lived in Anchorage until 1990, then moved to Big Lake, where he built the family home.

He was a union journeyman carpenter, and owned "ONE WAY Builders." This was the motto of his life.

His family and friends said, "Marshall was extraordinarily loving and always giving of himself. He dedicated his life and all of his time to loving and nurturing his family. We are proud to be the family of such an honorable man. He made our unique family what it is today. There is now an empty space in our hearts and lives that no one else can fill. The world is a better place because of him. He showed his faith through giving and helping all who needed it, and did not expect anything in return. So many lives have been touched and changed through his quiet acts of kindness and generosity. It is because of Marshall and his tireless tenacity that numerous families have homes that they otherwise could not afford, freely giving his time and expertise. "Yo" was his trademark and favorite word, along with his American flag bandanna, leather coat, engineer boots and belt buckle worn to the side. He was a Vietnam vet and was extremely patriotic. If you were his friend you knew you would never go hungry or be homeless, he always made time when you were in need. He wanted everyone to know there is only one way to heaven, and that is through Jesus Christ, God's only son. His prayer is that all would find the Lord and join him in heaven. He is now receiving the rewards for an unselfish life, lived to give and help others. Marshall, we'll see you soon. We miss you, but know the Lord called your name. It's 'quitting time' for your labors on earth. Time to enter into eternal rest in glory. It's pay day for all your labors. Amen."

He is survived by his wife, Patricia Symbol; children, LeRoy Symbol, Laura Snodgress and Lolly Symbol; daughter-in-law, Diana; grandchildren, Colton and Justin Symbol, Charity, Shea and Kaya Snodgress, and Heather Grimes.

Memorial donations may be made to Good News For Asia, P.O. Box 220404, Anchorage, AK 99522-0404.

Arrangements were made by Valley Funeral Home & Crematory of Wasilla.