Marvin W. Kroontje

MARVIN WALTER KROONTJE was born to Wilbur and Susie (Tilstra) Kroontje on May 4, 1942 near Rock Rapids, Iowa. In 1948, he moved with his parents to a farm near Magnolia, Minnesota where Marvin attended the Magnolia School. Upon completion of his education, he worked for several Rock County farmers. Marvin was united in marriage to Vivian Joyce Stienfeldt in 1960. Following their marriage, they lived in Magnolia where Marvin continued working on area farms. In 1963, they moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Marvin worked for a water and sewer company and then Peers Bottling Company selling and delivering Dr. Pepper and Royal Crown pop. He also worked at Gage Brothers Cement Company making pre stressed bridge girders for the building of Interstate 90 highway through this area. In 1964, they moved to a farm near Magnolia and farmed for two years with his father and then for two years with a brother. In 1971 Marvin and Joyce divorced. Marvin then became employed at Iowa Beef Processors near Luverne, Minnesota. On June 7, 1973, Marvin was united in marriage to Janice Carol Tousley at Calvary Baptist Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Following their marriage, the couple lived in Magnolia. Marvin continued to work at IBP where he lugged beef for ten years and spent twenty years loading beef, rolling on yield grade and sawing rib eye until his retirement in 1998. Janice preceded him in death on February 8, 2016. On Monday, January 6, 2020, Marvin went to be with his Lord at the age of 77 years, eight months and two days.

Marvin was a member of the First Baptist Churches in Adrian and Luverne, Minnesota, where he served as trustee, song leader, and Sunday School teacher. He enjoyed fishing and gardening, and especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.

Marvin is lovingly remembered by his six children, Mark (Sue) Kroontje of Herreid, South Dakota, Vivian (John) Kroontje-Yurkin of Winona Lake, Indiana, William (Brenda) Kroontje of Ashton, Iowa, Trudy Schneidermann of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Darcy (Dougie) Lensing of Comfrey, Minnesota, and Robert (Becca) Kroontje of St. Paul, Minnesota; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild; two brothers, Gerrit and Harriet Kroontje of Leota, Minnesota, and John Kroontje of Kenneth, Minnesota; and a sister, Dorthey Rice Hill of Luverne, Minnesota. He was preceded in death by his wife, Janice; grandson, Casey Schneidermann; parents; a brother, Willie Kroontje; and a sister, Katherine Vastenhout.