Marvin Rahrlien

Marvin Rahrlien, age 98, of Graceville, MN, passed away on Sunday, July 2, 2023, at Essentia Health – Grace Home.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, July 10, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Mundwiler and Larson Funeral Home Chapel in Graceville. Visitation with his family will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Monday. Pastor Lynn Thomas will officiate the celebration and inurnment will be at Frog Lake Cemetery near Alberta, MN.

Marvin Michael Rahrlien was born on April 19, 1925, in Synnes Township of Stevens County, MN, to Michael Rahrlien and Marie (Podtburg). He was baptized on December 15, 1935, at Reque Lutheran Church south of Alberta, MN, and was confirmed in 1941 at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church of Johnson, MN.

When he was old enough, Marvin enlisted in the United States Navy on March 29, 1944, and was sent to the naval station in Farragut, ID. He served on the USS Trenton, then The Brinkley Bass destroyer ship in China. Marvin was honorably discharged on November 14, 1946, as a Seaman First Class.

In 1949, Marvin met Betty Hruby at a dance. On December 10, 1950, the two were united in marriage at the Congregational Church in Graceville. Betty and Marvin made their first home on a farm place north of Chokio, moving to a farm south of Johnson, then to a farm east of Graceville. They finally settled into a home next to the school in Graceville where they raised their three children: Terry, Patricia, and Susan. In 2014, Betty and Marvin moved to Grace Village Retirement Community and in December of 2021, they moved into Grace Home.

Marvin did road construction for many, many years throughout Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, Iowa, and Wisconsin. Wherever he was working, Betty and the kids would travel to go visit him. He was active in the Congregational Church in Graceville and served on the church council.

In his younger years, Marvin played baseball. Marvin enjoyed fishing all year round, but his favorite place was Lake Traverse. He loved to watch his grandchildren in all of their activities whether it was a sports event or a program. Marvin and Betty enjoyed dancing at the Glenwood Ballroom and going to the casino. He also enjoyed woodworking, making many things from kitchen cabinets to cradles for his grandchildren; reading western books and playing Bingo. Marvin also loved watching Minnesota Twins baseball.

Left to cherish Marvin’s memory are his son, Terry (Audrey) Rahrlien of Graceville, MN; daughters: Patricia A. (Herman) Wencel of Graceville, MN; and Susan (Wayne) Westerman of Chokio, MN; eight grandchildren: Cassandra Rahrlien of Graceville, MN; Lee (Kristina) Rahrlien of Lake Jackson, TX; Ann (Zac) Malmberg of Roseville, MN; Phillip (Tricia)  Wencel of  Graceville, MN; Matt (Tami) Westerman of Chokio, MN; Luke (Tarah) Westerman of Oak Creek, CO; Chris (Kaitlin) Westerman of Morris,  MN; and Jeremy (Molly) Westerman of Chokio, MN; 20 great-grandchildren with one on the way; along with many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Betty Rahrlien in 2022; great-grandson, Saul Westerman; sisters: Lucille (August) Zimmerman, Opal (Orville) Heuer, Irene (Glen) Cook, and Luella (Houston) Hall; and brothers: Orville Rahrlien, Elmer (Delores) Rahrlien, and Frederick Rahrlien.