Eleanor "Beth" E. Marvin

A Celebration of Life for Beth Marvin of Warroad, MN will be held on Saturday, December 28, 2019 at Zion Lutheran Church in Warroad.  A visitation will be one hour prior at the church; with interment at Riverside Cemetery at a later date.  Beth Marvin passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on December 24, 2019 at her home in Warroad, MN.

A life well-lived by Eleanor Elizabeth Marvin ended on December 24, 2019, surrounded by family at her home in Warroad. Eleanor (Beth) was born in Des Moines, Iowa on June 19, 1925, to Eugene and Eleanor Beimer. Beth grew up in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, where she played trombone in the band and cello in the high school orchestra. As an organist for the Methodist and Episcopal churches in Fergus Falls, Beth accompanied countless choirs, soloists, small groups, and musicals. 

Continuing her education she received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music with a minor in Physical Education at Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota. The phy-ed professor hired Beth to play for her dance classes. The two got along so well she persuaded Beth to join the Women’s Athletic Association her senior year. At college, Beth participated in soccer, field hockey, golf, basketball, and swimming. Exhilarating, would be the word Beth would use to describe her college years! Memories of her college days were always vivid in her mind. 

Beth Beimer’s college degree brought her to Warroad where she was hired as a music and physical education teacher. During a school carnival, where she was working in one of the booths, a handsome man asked her if she was selling kisses. That man, Cal Marvin, swept her off her feet. After a four-month courtship, they were married on August 17, 1949. 

Having twelve children, Beth’s family became the center of her life. Beth was a woman who read to her children before bedtime, celebrated birthdays with special parties, created clever school projects, included neighborhood kids at meals, and had her children in the back row of the Episcopal church every Sunday while she played the organ. 

There have been sorrows and heartaches in Beth’s life, but an appreciation for simple pleasures remained. Pontoon rides at her cottage, gardening, sitting in her hammock, taking a bike ride, or eating Oreo cookies with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, she found joy. 

Beth played an active role in the life of her community. She worked at the Warroad Heritage Museum for 38 years as a volunteer documenting the history of Warroad. As a member of St. Peter’s Episcopal church, Beth played the organ for 68 years and was the guild secretary. She was also a member of the Warroad Legion Auxiliary. 

Beth is survived by her brother Gene (Bobbi) Beimer, children Karen (Conrad) Hontvet, Mike (Connie) Marvin, Liz (Jeff) Mueller, Becky (Carter) Hontvet, Nancy (Rob) Rademacher, Janet (Teresa) Marvin, Robin (Kathy) Marvin, David (Kallie) Marvin, Randi (Craig) Oftedahl, 26 grandchildren and 29 great grandchildren. 

She was preceded in death by her husband Cal, sister Mary Jo, brother Richard, sons Murray and Johnny, daughter Jeanne, and grandsons Barrett and Max.

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