Marvin R Willemssen

NOTICE: Little Rock, Iowa Marvin Willemssen, age 92 of Sioux Falls, SD, formerly of George, IA died Sunday, July 10, 2011 at Bethany Lutheran Home in Sioux Falls, SD. Funeral service will be 10:30 AM, Thursday, July 14th at Community Reformed Church in Sioux Falls, SD, with Pastor John Thornton officiating. Burial will be 2:00 PM, Thursday at Pleasant View Cemetery in Little Rock, IA. Visitation will be Wednesday, July 13th from 2:00 to 8:00 PM, with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Jurrens Funeral Home of Rock Rapids. Marvin Ray Willemssen was born February 9, 1919 in George, Iowa, the son of Louis and Lena Willemssen. He was raised in the Little Rock and George area. He attended country school and helped with the family farm work. On February 16, 1944 Marvin was united in marriage to Doris M. Wibben at the Lyon County First Presbyterian parsonage near George, IA. They farmed in the Little Rock and George area from 1944 to 1988, where they raised four children. Then they retired from farming and moved to Sioux Falls, SD. While living in Sioux Falls, Marvin worked various places, such as Harolds Photo, Sears, South Dakota Department of Transportation, Citibank and most recently at Graham Tire. Marvin retired in 2004. He was a member of the Community Reformed Church in Sioux Falls, SD. Marvin enjoyed the life of a farmer and spending time with his family. He also enjoyed listening to polka music, playing billiards with his son-in-law and traveling with his wife to Arizona, the Black Hills and the West Coast. He was an Allis Chalmers tractor enthusiast. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Doris M. Willemssen of Sioux Falls, SD; three children, Shirley (Max) Whittington of Casa Grande, AZ, Jerry (Kathy) Willemssen of Prior Lake, MN and Mark (Tricia) Willemssen of Johnston, IA; nine grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Berdeen Ackerman of Ashton, IA; a brother-in-law, Arnold (Eleanor) Wibben of George, IA. He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Donna Koser; son-in-law, Ron Koser; a brother, Lorens Willemssen; two sisters, Bena Boss; and Helen Willemssen.