Marvin PRATT

KEPLINGER, PRATT, SIEMILLER, BLISS, JARVIS, HALSEY, FLANAGAN

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 6/14/2010 at 01:17:47

MARVIN PRATT

Marvin PRATT was July 28, 1938, the son of Glen and Dorothy (KEPLINGER) PRATT. Later, Glen and Dorothy had a daughter Charlene and a son Larry.

Dorothy (KEPLINGER) PRATT was the daughter of Adam and Amy (SIEMILLER) KEPLINGER. The KEPLINGERS suffered greatly from the Depression of the 1930's and the drought. Like many other southern Iowa farmers, they resorted to tenant farming, settling on a 320-acre farm in the bottom ground of the Grand River which was located 2 miles from Blockton along Highway 2. The farm was owned by Floy BLISS who had taught for many years in Mount Ayr.

Shortly after Marvin's birth, the PRATT family moved back to Ringgold County and Glen became a tenant farmer. He supplemented the family income by driving a school bus and worked at odd jobs. Glen never ventured far from Ringgold County. He died in 1966.

Marvin graduated from Mount Ayr Highs School in 1956. Although Marvin participated in all of the boys' high school sports throughout high school, his preference was football. He entered college at Maryville, Missouri, fully intending to seek a career as a teacher and a coach. He left college after two years of study and took a job in advertising in Des Moines, fully expecting to return to his studies.

Marvin began work as a collection agent on October 12, 1959 with Dial Finance for a salary of $275 a month. Before starting his job, Marvin took Marlene Kay JARVIS out on a first date on October 11. She would later become his wife.

Marvin's number was scheduled to come up in the draft. Not wanting to be sent to Vietnam, he enlisted in the National Guard. He was sent to Fort Leonard Wood for basic training and then served as a clerk typist at Fort Gordon, Georgia. After serving his time, Marvin and Marlene were married in 1961.

Marvin resumed his employment with Dial Finance. In time he was promoted to branch manager at Clinton, Iowa.

After their son Terry was born in May of 1965, Marvin returned to his studies at Maryville and Marlene helped support them by babysitting and working at Montgomery Ward. Marvin also helped by working part-time. In January of 1966, Jack HALSEY, a senior officer with Dial Finance, offered Marvin a job in a new Des Moines Office under Marvin's old boss, Tom FLANAGAN. The new Dial Finance office located at 7th and Locust Street opened in February of 1966 with Tom FLANAGAN, one secretary, and Marvin PRATT as the assistant manager. Later, Marvin became the manager of that office and a second one, also located in Des Moines.

Marvin accepted a district managerial position with Dial Finance in Philadelphia. The family resided across the river on New Jersey. Daughter Tracy was born in 1967, and daughter Tiffany was born in 1973.

Marvin's initial managerial responsibilities were the two Philadelphia sites. Over the years, 10 metro offices and 12 area branch offices were opened and fell under Marvin's care.

Marvin was promoted in 1986 as Vice-President and Regional Manager which required the family to move to Denver. He later became the southern California Vice-President and Regional Manager, which included the territory of Nevada and Arizona.

Dial Finance was purchased by Norwest Financial in 1983. In the early 1990's, Norwest purchased Wells Fargo and changed their name to the more recognizable "Wells Fargo."

Marvin retired in 1993. Although travel is on the agenda, Marvin's retirement plans are golf, golf, and more golf.

NOTE: Dorothy (KEPLINGER) PRATT was born in December of 1917, and died at the age of 84 years in August of 2002.

SOURCE: FETTY, Jack. Rings of Gold Pp. 96-103. Palindrome Pub. Co. Iowa. 2007.

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, June of 2010