Marvin Leroy Birr

Marvin Leroy Birr, 75 of Good Thunder, passed away Monday, October 9, 2017 at his home from natural causes.

Funeral service will be 11am Saturday, October 14, 2017 at St. John Lutheran Church in Good Thunder with visitation one hour prior. Visitation will be held from 4-7pm, Friday, October 13, 2017 at Mankato Mortuary. Burial with full military honors will follow at Barnard Valley View Cemetery. Please share a memory of Marvin with his family at www.mankatomortuary.com.

Marvin was born November 9, 1941 in Winnebago to Joseph and Marcella (Doering) Birr. He was baptized on November 30, 1941 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Amboy. His family lived on a farm near Amboy before moving to Good Thunder when Marv was a child. On May 29, 1955, Marvin was confirmed at St. John Lutheran Church in Good Thunder.  In his earlier years, Marv played basketball, baseball, and ran cross country. He also sang in the school choir and church choir. On June 1, 1955, he graduated from St. John Lutheran Grade School and later graduated from “The University of Hard Knocks”, aka Good Thunder High School, were he was senior class vice-president.

Marvin enlisted and served in the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged in 1964. On July 4, 1965, Marvin married Margaret “Janet” Gordon, and they had one daughter, Ellen. Janet died on May 5, 1975. Marv later married Patricia Buller on July 22, 1978. Their family grew with four more children. Patricia passed away on July 28, 2003.

Marvin was a hardworking dairy farmer with his children by his side. He appreciated spending time outdoors, fishing, boating and waterskiing with his family, flower gardening, and relaxing in his three-season porch. He loved watching the Twins and Vikings. He also had a good sense of humor and loved telling jokes (which were sometimes inappropriate). Above all, Marvin loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. He was a lifelong member of St. John Lutheran Church in Good Thunder and the Dairy Herd Improvement Association.

Marvin is survived by his children, Ellen (Paul) Sombke of Good Thunder, Kara (Mike) FitzSimmons of Good Thunder, Darrin Birr of Good Thunder, Lindsay Birr of Elgin, and Allison Birr of North Mankato; grandchildren, Joshua (Bailey) Sombke, Samuel Sombke, Zackary Garlow, Bryan Garlow, Tyler Garlow, Logan FitzSimmons, Braxton FitzSimmons, Tessa FitzSimmons, Jackson Birr, Rosemary Birr, Caitlyn Birr, and Nolen Birr; siblings, Orin (Dorla) Birr of St. Clair, Marliss Rosin of Stewartville, Arlene (Hilbert) Bergemann of Good Thunder, and Alvin (Susie) Birr of Good Thunder; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Janet; second wife, Patricia; brother, Luverne Birr; and brother-in-law, George Rosin.