Marvin Harrison

VISITATION:

9:30 - 10:30 A.M., Saturday, AUGUST 30, at the Mae Rowan Ecumenical Chapel at Wissota Health, 2815 County Hwy. I, Chippewa Falls

MEMORIAL MASS:

10:30 A.M., Saturday, AUGUST 30, at the Mae Rowan Ecumenical Chapel at Wissota Health, 2815 County Hwy. I, Chippewa Falls

Marvin Russell Harrison passed away at the age of 88 in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin on August 19, 2014.

Marvin was born in Starkweather, North Dakota on June 18, 1926 to Mae Hazel (Schroeder) and William Russell Harrison. He lived for a short time with his parents in Saskatoon, Canada before moving to a farm north of Edmore, North Dakota in 1932 where he started school. Marvin loved the animals and visiting with the farm hands. Life became difficult for Marvin and his mother in 1939 when his father died from what was believed to be Encephalitis. Marvin enlisted in the Navy on June 9, 1944 and reported for duty on his 18th birthday. He served on the U.S.S. Norton Sound where he became a third class signalman until his discharge on June 6, 1946.

Marvin married Muriel Ann Bergeron on August 11, 1947 at St. Paul of Taurus Church. They made their home in Omemee, North Dakota where Marvin sold insurance and during the winters of 1947 & 1948 they moved to Grand Island, Nebraska where he and his father-in-law sold house siding. Marvin ad Muriel began farming in 1949 near Omemee, North Dakota on the Schulte Quarter after his mother's death in 1949. Their farming soon included the homestead of Muriel's maternal grandparents called Lakeview between Bottineau and Dunseith, North Dakota, which they purchased in 1962. Marvin attributed any success he had with farming with the Vets Farm School that he attended using the GI Bill. He said "we received about $100.00 a month, which along with the farm animals kept our heads above water." He began delivering mail in 1955 for the U.S. Postal service, first out of Omemee and later from Willow City, North Dakota, until his retirement on January 21, 1983 with 30 years of service to the United States Government.

Marvin was good with his hands, building a home on their farm and also a lake home. He loved music and taught himself to play the guitar. They retired to their lake home on Lake Metigoshe, North Dakota and then to Mesa, Arizona in 1983, where they were active in dance, bridge and golf. He became a computer whiz teaching himself and then others in the computer club. Marvin and Muriel enjoyed 25 years together in Mesa. Marvin's health was greatly impacted by Valley Fever in the late 1990's. He moved to Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin in 2011 when he suffered a stroke. He lived at Wissota Place Senior Community for the last three and a half years of his life. All the staff at the center provided him a very warm and comfortable home.

Marvin is survived by four children, Cynthia (Mamduh) Sifri of Quincy, Illinois, Les (Marilyn) Harrison of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, Bonnie (David) Clark and Claudia (Bradley) Trebas all of Bottineau, North Dakota. He is also survived by ten grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his parents; his wife, Muriel on June 4, 2008 and his son, Robert Carl Harrison on December 5, 1972.

Marvin's Catholic faith was an important part of his life. Please say a prayer in his memory.

A memorial Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, August 30 at the Mae Rowan Ecumenical Chapel at Wissota Health with Fr. Frank Corradi celebrating the Mass.

Interment will be at a later date at Mariposa Gardens in Mesa, Arizona beside his wife.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.

AFTERSERVICE

A memorial Mass was held for Marvin R. Harrison, 88, of Chippewa Falls at 2 p.m., Saturday, August 30 at Mae Rowan Ecumenical Chapel at Wissota Health in Chippewa Falls. Fr. Frank Corradi was celebrant at the Mass and music was provided by Judy Brist. The eulogy was given by daughter, Cynthia Sifri and readings were given by granddaughters, Shawna and Chelsey Trebas. Interment will be at a later date at Mariposa Gardens Memorial Park in Mesa, Arizona.