Thief River Falls - Marvin Mehrkens, 89, died Wednesday, July 21, 1999 at his home in Sander's township of Pennington county.
Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 24 at St. John Church in Thief River Falls with Rev. Donald Kirchner officiating. Elaine Idso was the organist. Casketbearers were Donovan Culkins, Richard Culkins, Arnie Geske, Myles Koop, Dale Mehrkens and Kevin Mehrkens. Burial was in Greenwood Cemetery in Thief River Falls. The Green Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
Marvin Peter Mehrkens was born on January 30, 1910 in Underwood, ND, the son of Henry W. and Anna (Voth) Mehrkens. Marvin was baptized when he was six days old on the date of his mother's death. He lived with his uncle and his family until he was two years old and moved to lived with his grandparents on a farm near Goodhue.
Following his father's remarriage in 1916, the family moved to Greatstone, ND, and Marvin was confirmed at the Greatstone church on July 1, 1923. In the fall of 1924, the family moved to an area southwest of Thief River Falls where Marvin lived with his folks for the next 17 years.
On November 8, 1944 he was united in marriage to Rodena Van Lith, and the couple made their home on a farm in Sanders township where they raised cattle, hogs and turkeys. After Marvin's son tood over the farm in 1972, he worked as a welder for Arctic Enterprises for eight years. He also worked as a sheep shearer for 35 years.
Marvin was a member of St. John Lutheran Church where he had served on the church council. He was also treasurer of the Daisy Dale School in Sanders township, helped organize the St. Hilaire fire protection group for Sanders township and was a member of the Farmer's Union and National Farm Organization.
Survivors include his wife, Rodena; two daughters, Marion (Calvin) Sorenson and Verla (Donavan) Erlandson, both of Thief River Falls; three sons, Roy, Albert (Kathy) and Darrel (special friend Sherry Sorenson), all of Thief River Falls; 12 grandchildren; and one great granddaughter.
Marvin was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Maynard Mehrkens in 1993.
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