Marvin Richard Deschepper

Marvin Richard DeSchepper, age 87, died on Thursday, June 9, 2011, at his home in Garretson. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:30 A.M. Monday, June 13, 2011, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Garretson. Visitation with the family present will be from 2-4:00 P.M. Sunday, at the Minnehaha Funeral Home, Garretson and will resume at 6:00 P.M. at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church with a Rosary and Wake Service beginning at 7:00 P.M. Memorials may be directed to the Garretson Dollars for Scholars.


Marvin was born on August 1, 1923 in Rock County, Minnesota to Richard and Louise (Vandersnick) DeSchepper. His parents died during his infancy and he was raised by his sister, Marie. He received his education in rural Pipestone County Schools and graduated from Jasper High School in 1941. He attended the University of Minnesota from 1941-1942.
In December of 1942, Marvin entered Naval Aviation Cadet Training and graduated from Flight School in November of 1943 as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. He served in the Pacific with a Marine Night Fighter Squadron. He was a recipient of the Philippine Liberation Medal, the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal and a Gold Star. He was released from active duty in 1946. In January of 1947, Marvin and his brother, Hector, opened a John Deere Dealership in downtown Garretson and operated it for 42 years.


Marvin met Dorothy Amelia Jarchow of Luverne at a St. Patrick’s Day Dance on March 17, 1948 and they were married on June 16, 1949. In November of 1952, Marvin was recalled into service with the Marine Corps. He served at Pearl Harbor with the 1st Marine Division in Korea. He was released from active duty in 1954 at the rank of Major.


Marvin was a proud resident of South Dakota and the community of Garretson. He was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, the Garretson American Legion and the Farm Implement Dealership Association. He served on the school board and started Dollars for Scholars in Garretson. He was instrumental in the development and construction of the Garretson Swimming Pool and helped with implementation and planning of the River Ridge Golf Course. Marv also helped with the planning of the Garretson Centennial Celebration and was a member of the Garretson Fire Department.


Marvin had many hobbies and especially enjoyed flying his small engine Cessna and golfing. He enjoyed fishing and took frequent trips to Canada. He traveled extensively and would attend the Annual Marine Night Fighter Bat Eye Squadron reunions. He also enjoyed watching the Minnesota Twins and spending time with family and friends.


Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Dorothy of Garretson; children: Beverly DeSchepper of Afton, MO, Debra (Mark) LaCross of Eau Claire, WI, Paul DeSchepper of Sioux Falls and Karen (Ed) Schwenk of Pontiac, MO; grandchildren: Jonathan (Jessie) LaCross, Amy LaCross, Nicholas (Elizabeth) Schwenk and Angela (Jeff) Pryibil; and great-grandchildren, Lillian LaCross and Luke LaCross.


Marvin was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Julie Heinemann; siblings: Carl DeSchepper, Marie Buysee, Elsie Woods and Hector DeSchepper.