Marvin Glen Walraven

Marvin G. Walraven, 92, of Oskaloosa passed away Monday afternoon, August 15, 2016, at the Oskaloosa Care Center. Marvin Glen Walraven, son of John and Martha (Van Toorn) Walraven, was born March 1, 1924, in Oskaloosa. He was raised on a farm in the Cedar area and attended Red Country School. March 9, 1947, Marvin was united in marriage to Evelyn DeWitt in Lacey, Iowa. They made their home on the same farm west of Cedar. To this union four children were born, Karen, Jonnie, Kathy and Jacque. Evelyn passed away, May 12, 1959, at the age of 31 years. Marvin remained on the farm with his children and continued to farm. As is God’s way, blessing was brought out of tragedy. Frances Nieuwsma, a neighborhood friend since childhood, lost her husband a year after Marvin lost Evelyn and she was raising her three daughters by herself. Marvin and Frances courted four years before their marriage on August 12, 1965. They then took all seven of their children camping in a stock truck to the Iowa State Fair for their honeymoon. Frances, along with her daughters, Lorna, Jolene and Retha, joined Marvin and his children on the farm west of Cedar, creating a busy, bursting-at-the-seams family home. In addition to farming his whole life, Marvin owned and operated a grain hauling business, sold cars for LaFrenz Motors and drove a school bus for over 20 years. After a tornado destroyed the farm house in 1984, Marvin and Frances moved in to Oskaloosa. He continued to farm after moving for two years. Marvin was a member of Central Reformed Church for over 50 years, a member of Red Rock Threshers, rode with the Southeast Iowa Tractor Riders and was a past member of the Southern Iowa Fair Board. After his retirement, he enjoyed coffee time with his friends at McDonalds, participating in tractor rides around the state and volunteering at the Nelson Pioneer Farm. Marvin and Frances lived in Norwich Apartments for 11 ½ years before moving to Homestead in May 2016. His family includes his wife Frances of over 51 years, and their children and their spouses: Karen and Jim Powell of Oskaloosa and their children: Marti and Nick; Jonnie and Helen Walraven of Ottumwa and their children, Melissa, Jeff, Shawn and Erin; Kathy and Rich Hugen of Pella and their children, Carrie, Tina, Sheri and Dena; Jacque and Mike Jepson of Manson, IA and their children, Andrew and Jennifer; Lorna and Dennis Trachta of Swisher, IA and their children, Janeen and Danyel; Jolene and Daryl Scott of Oskaloosa and their children, Dewayne, Dean and Jodee; Retha and Richard Dudak of Springville, IA and their children, Jenna and Chase; numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters and brothers-in-law: Ruby and Clayton Gabrielson of Story City, IA and Lucile and Don DeWitt of Lacey, IA;his sisters-in-law: Pearldean DeWitt and Vera LaRue, both of New Sharon, Helen DeWitt of Des Moines, and Wilma Boender Van Weelden and Mary Ann Van Kooten, both of Oskaloosa; a brother-in-law, Abe Nunnikhoven of Oskaloosa; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Evelyn.

Marvin Glen Walraven

March 1, 1924 - August 15, 2016