Marvin M. Wipf

Marvin Morris Wipf, son of Joseph S. and Susie M. (Hofer) Wipf was born in the brick house on old Highway 16 east of Bridgewater, SD on May 23, 1927, along with a twin sister, Nadine. Another sister, Diane, joined them 3 years later. Marvin and his sisters grew up on a dairy farm and delivered milk door to door to the residents of Bridgewater, SD. He left high school at age 17 to enlist in the Navy where he was stationed in the Philippines. Upon his honorable discharge, he returned to Bridgewater, SD to complete his high school education and graduated in 1947. After graduation, he re-enlisted in the Navy and served in the Korean War. On October 30, 1953, Marvin's life was transformed when he made the decision to accept the Lord as his Savior at an evangelistic meeting held at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, SD. Marvin and Dolly Jean Wood were married in 1967 in Webster City, IA. They resided in St. Peter, MN where he was a maintenance engineer at the Gustavus Adolphus College library until he retired. In 1994 and again in 1996, Marvin was nominated for the Augusta Carlson Schultz Award, an award honoring exceptional service by a support staff employee. Marvin was known for his strong faith and vibrant, bold witness of God's transformation in his life. He was an encourager, and friends and family were often the recipient of his spoken and written words. Marvin was an active member at Bethany Alliance in St. Peter, MN and deeply appreciated his church family He loved baseball and was an avid Minnesota Twins fan. Marvin was also a skilled card player and enjoyed the challenge of a good game. He gained many dear friends during his retirement years at Park View Manner in St. Peter, MN, including a very special friend, Marvis Graber. On May 30, 2015, at the age of 88, Marvin was "Promoted to Heaven" as his tombstone states after a short stay in the Benedictine Living Community in St. Peter, MN. Marvin is lovingly remembered by his sister, Diane Stahl, Bridgewater, SD; special friend, Marvis Graber, St. Peter, MN; son, Michael Wilson, Minneapolis, MN; and daughter, Charmaine D (Wood) Pasbrig-Powers, Mesa, AZ. Nieces and nephews: Karen and Dennis Brannan, Garden Grove, CA, and son, Tyler; Dorothy and Roger Thomas Bismarck, ND, and children, Drew and Jessica Thomas; Barry and Becky Stahl, Yorba Linda, CA, and children, Meghan and Zachary Stahl; Brian and Sue Stahl, Sioux Falls, SD, and daughters, Nicole, Katelyn, and Emily Stahl; and Michael and Sue Stahl, Bridgewater, SD. Grandchildren: Charles (Jennifer) Jones, Buffalo, MN; Dolly Jean (Johnnie) Wenger, Phoenix, AZ; Chrystyna Pasbrig, Tyler, TX; and Dyan Pasbrig, Phoenix, AZ. Great-Grandchildren: Richard and Raven Jones (Charle's children), Matthew Voog, and Cayley Pasbrig-Collins (Chrystyna's children), Gabriel and Jeremiah Jimenez, Dashawn and Treyvon James (Dyan's children). Preceding him in death was his wife Dolly Jean Wood, his parents, his sister Nadine, and his brother-in-law Mike M. Stahl. Funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, June 4, 2015 at Bethany Alliance Church in St. Peter. Visitation will be from 5:00 - 7:00 pm on Wednesday at St. Peter Funeral Home and also one hour prior to the service at the church Thursday. Burial will be at 11:00 am on Friday, June 5, 2015 at the Bridgewater City Cemetery in Bridgewater, SD.