Services for Marvel Edward Thompson
Marvel Edward Thompson, 93, of Shevlin, MN, died on Sunday, December 13, 2015 at his home in rural Shevlin, MN surrounded by his family.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 19, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at Sell Lake Church at rural Shevlin, MN. Visitation will be on Friday, December 18, 2015 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. with at Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. at the Cease Family Funeral Home Chapel in Bagley, MN. Interment at Sell Lake Cemetery in Shevlin, MN. Military rites accorded by the Irvin Blix American Legion Post #16. The Cease Family Funeral Home of Bagley assisted the family with the arrangements.
Marvel Edward Thompson was born July 5, 1922 to the parents Edward and Mable (Lindgren) Thompson at their farm in rural Shevlin, Itasca Township. He received his 8 years of schooling at the country school of Vern, Itasca Township. He helped with the many farm duties at home as he grew into young manhood. The summer of 1939, at the age of 17, he was a NYA (National Youth Administration) worker at the U of M Itasca. He helped build the Lake Side Lab and did rockwork. He also worked on the rock wall on the North side of the Bagley Hospital, by Lake Lamond. In 1942 he purchased a 1937 Ford truck and hauled ice for everyone in the area. He hauled cream from the Itasca, Alida area North to Shevlin Creamery from 1942 to 1945. Marvel entered the service April 17, 1945; he was stationed at the Great Lakes Naval Base. He was later transferred into the Seabees, was stationed at Providence, Rhode Island, Camp Parks near San Francisco and on to Okinawa where he operated heavy equipment with the 58th Naval Contruction Battalion. While there, he received the Commendation for Excellent Performance of Duty. He was honorably discharged June 12, 1946. He remained a proud Veteran his entire life.
Marvel married Ardis (Butler) October 21, 1950. They bought and lived on his grandparent’s homestead where they built the farm up and currently live. Marvel and Ardis celebrated 65 years together last October. Marvel owned his gravel truck and Ford tractor/loader and hauled gravel from 1950 to 1962 for Clearwater County, townships, and private parties. He worked for P.V. Elevator the summer of 1951. For several years he was engaged in cutting and hauling wood, farmed and raised beef cattle. Marvel was a school bus driver for the Bagley School from 1962 to 1988. During those years he worked various places in Bagley between bus runs, Mileage Station, Olson’s Grocery, Lillegaard’s Hartz Store and Bagley Mercantile. Marvel was a summer employee at Itasca State Park Campground from 1967-1988.
Marvel was a lifelong member of Sell Lake Church, where he faithfully attended and held several offices. He received Jesus as his Savior under the friendship and ministry of Spencer Bower. Marvel was active in community affairs and served on the board of: The Vern School, Itasca Township, Bethany Bible Camp, Clearwater Historical Society and was a member of the Fireman’s Association, The Lake Itasca Region Pioneer Farmers and American Legion of Bagley. It brought great joy to Marvel knowing he had a special part in the organization of the Itasca Volunteer Fire Dept. as he and Ardis donated the land for the fire dept. and town hall to build on. Marvel was so excited and happy to see the project of the Mallard Historic Marker completed. It was a joy for him to have a special part in this project for several years and to be able to attend this celebration to commemorate county history in June of 2008. Marvel’s father, Edward, owned and operated the first saloon in Mallard and his mother worked at the Lake Shore Hotel.
He is survived by his wife, Ardis; his children, Duane (Marcy) Thompson of Geneva, NE, Douglas (Dawn) Thompson of rural Shevlin, MN, Connie (Peter John) Fredrickson of Bemidji, MN, Susan (Mike) McKeehan of Park River, ND, and Denise (Shannon) Hogenson of rural Shevlin, MN; his six grandchildren, Aaron, Sonya, Matthew, Jennifer, Sara, and Hillary; his eleven great grandchildren, Mark, Scott, Keena, Jarrett, Bryce, Paige, Spencer, Callan, Ryker, Alcee, and Aksel; and several nieces, nephews, and friends.
He was preceded in death by parents, Edward and Mable; his brother, Albin and wife Ruth; his brother, Leroy and wife Evelyn; his sister, Myrtle and husband Harold Wilkens.
Marvel was very thankful for his family living close to him, for his precious grandchildren and great grandchildren who brought great joy to his life. He loved them dearly. Marvel enjoyed farming and his beef cattle and always looked forward to deer hunting. He enjoyed and loved his family and visiting over a cup of coffee with friends and neighbors.
Marvel considered the best part of his life is to have been born, brought up, and raised in the country. There is virtue in country living, at the homes, churches, schools, fields, gardens, lakes and streams, wood and on the farm that he truly enjoyed. Precious memories, Thank you, Jesus.
Messages of condolence may be sent to ceasefuneralhome.com
