Remembering “Coach” Marlen Ronten

Tuolumne, CA– Numerous people are expected to attend a celebration of life ceremony this Sunday for a longtime Summerville High School coach and teacher.

Tuolumne resident Marlen Ronten passed away on Tuesday, October 25th at the age of 70.

Born in Jamestown, he grew up in Tuolumne and graduated from Summerville High School in 1958, where he was a well-known athlete.

In 1966, he began teaching eighth grade at Summerville Elementary School and also coached boys and girls sports. By 1974, he was teaching math and coaching numerous sports, including varsity football and basketball at Summerville High.

Ronten was a varsity basketball coach for 35 years and Summerville High School’s athletic director until his retirement in 1998. Even after retirement, he continued coaching boys basketball until an illness forced him to take a year off in 2009-2010. He coached during the 2010-11 season alongside Ben Watson, topping his career with a Mother Lode League championship.

During his coaching career he was credited with more than 500 wins.

A Celebration of Life for Marlen Ronten will be held Sunday, November 13th at 1 pm at the Summerville High School Gym at 17755 Tuolumne Road in Tuolumne.