Marvin Leon Erickson

    Marvin Leon Erickson passed away in Spencer, Iowa, on December 17, 2024. He was 94 years old. Marvin was born on June 25, 1930 to Anton & Erdena (Argraves) Erickson in Aurelia, Iowa. He was the ninth child with eight older brothers and sisters, and three younger brothers.

   Marvin is survived by his children Gregory Erickson of Spencer, Iowa; Stacy Grover and her husband Brian Grover of Spencer, Iowa; and Colin Erickson and his wife Melanie Mann-Erickson of Johnston, Iowa. Forever remembered by his grandchildren Holly (Ben) Halverson of Sanborn, Iowa; Travis Grover of Spencer, Iowa; and Eve and Evan Mann-Erickson of Johnston, Iowa; and great-grandchildren Alexis, Ryne, and Max, of Sanborn, Iowa. He is also loved and remembered by his three sisters-in-law in California, Kansas, and Colorado, and many nieces and nephews.

  Marvin was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years Hope Margaret (Rovn) Erickson, parents Anton & Erdena Erickson, eight brothers Oliver, Robert, Beryl, Archie, Glenn, Keith, Roger, and Richard, and three sisters, Doris, Velma, and Bernice, parents-in-law, Lehman and Margaret Rovn, and a grandson, Gregory Sky Erickson.

  Marvin attended school in Spencer, Iowa, graduating from high school in 1948. He was united in marriage to Hope Margaret (Rovn) Erickson in Sioux Falls, South Dakota on January 7, 1956. Marvin worked for Northwestern Bell Telephone Company and the young couple moved several times early in their marriage, but always stayed in the Northwest Iowa area. In 1964, he and his family settled in Spencer, Iowa, for the remainder of her life.

  Marvin was an extremely talented athlete in high school and remained an excellent golfer. He enjoyed beating his children and significant others in a round of golf well into his 60s. He was one of Spencer High Schools first 4 letter winners.

  Marvin worked in construction and concrete after high school in the Northwest Iowa area. However, on January 25, 1951, Marvin enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War. On March 1, 1952,

  Marvin was promoted to Sergeant. During his service, he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Metal, United Nations Service Medal, and the Korean Service Medal (4/stars). His military service ended on January 25, 1954, at El Toro Service Base, Santa Ana, California. Marvin returned to Northwest Iowa and was employed by Northwestern Bell Telephone Company and was a devoted employee for the phone company through 1990.

  He also a talented craftsman and could handle nearly any odd job handed to him, including laying concrete like a pro, hanging drapes for his wife’s work jobs, and fixing about anything that seemed a lost cause. He was a frugal person that saw no reason to throw away anything that might serve a purpose sometime. This is evidenced by the garage full of jars of different size nails, screws, and about every tool you could imagine.

  Marv’s favorite retreat was the family cottage on Roy Lake in South Dakota. This had been one of his favorite places since marriage with family trips nearly every summer. He spent hours teaching his children to fish, clean the fish, and drive the boat.

  Marvin enjoyed retirement and liked to boast that he was retired longer than he worked! He spent hours devoted to his lawn care and was often seen around the yard keeping it well maintained by all the neighbors. He frequently picked up grandkids (and great-grandchildren) after school to entertain them until their parents got off work. He willingly shared a bowl of ice cream or kool-aid as it gave him an excuse to have one as well (much to the chagrin of Hope). He will forever be known to his children as the most reliable, caring, and devoted man. He is deeply missed by his family, but we are all blessed to have him looking over us and guiding our paths. Who we once deeply loved we can never lose, for all that we loved deeply becomes a part of us.