Marsh, Marvin Denton -- 1923 - 2005

MARSH, LONGSTREET, BROKKEN, SINGER, MCDOUGALL, LARSON, GASTER

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 7/30/2012 at 16:31:39

M. Denton Marsh, age 81 of Decorah, died on Tuesday, February 22, 2005, at Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah following a short illness.

Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 25, 2005 at First Lutheran Church in Decorah, IA by Rev. Steven M. Jacobsen, with Private Family inurnment in Phelps Cemetery in Decorah, IA, with full military honors.

Visitation is on Thursday, February 24, 2005 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah, with a V.F.W. Memorial Service at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Marvin Denton Marsh was born March 27, 1923 in Decorah, Iowa, the son of Earle and Beatrice (Longstreet) Marsh. He graduated from Decorah High School with the Class of 1943.

Following his High School graduation, Denton joined the U.S. Army on June 28, 1943, and served in the 101st Airborne Division. He was one of the 20,000 troops that were surrounded by 120,000 German soldiers in Bastogne, Belgium, and fought under the leadership of General George Patton in the Battle of the Bulge. Denton was awarded the Bronze Star, combat infantry badge, campaign ribbons, battle stars, and a parachutist’s badge. He was honorably discharged as a Private First Class on March 26, 1946.

After serving his country, Denton attended Luther College in Decorah. He was united in marriage to Geraldine L. Brokken on June 25, 1949 in Decorah. To this union, four children were born: Crisan, Debra, Holly and Todd.

Denton began his working career with Consolidated Foods and the family made their home in Clear Lake, Iowa for five years. Denton was employed at the U.S. Post Office in Decorah for over thirty years, first as a city mail carrier and then as a rural mail carrier for many years. He retired in 1988.

Denton was a former member of the Congregational United Church of Christ in Decorah, and a current member of First Lutheran Church in Decorah. His other memberships include the Masonic Lodge, the Elk’s Club, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Silvercrest and Oneota Golf and Country Clubs. Denton was the first lifeguard at the Decorah Pool and was honored to be the first swimmer to dive off the diving board at both the old and new Decorah Municipal Pools. He liked to travel, play cards, go fishing and loved to play golf. He enjoyed visiting with friends at coffee groups and breakfast.

Denton died Tuesday, February 22, 2005 at Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah at the age of 81 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Geri, on February 21, 2001; and two sisters, Janet and Earline.

Survivors include his four children, Crisan Singer of Decorah, IA., Debra (Mark) McDougall of Melbourne, Australia, Holly (Arnold) Larson of Decorah, IA., and Todd (Michelle) Marsh of Gurnee, IL.; seven grandchildren, Jennifer Singer, Russell and Morgan McDougall, Matthew (Evelena) Larson, Emily Larson, Emma and Samuel Marsh; one great-grandson, Ayden Gaster; and a good friend, Florence Olson of Decorah, IA.

Source: Fjelstul Funeral Home database

Phelps Cemetery
 

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