Clarence "Blonde" E. Marvin
Blonde Marvin dies at 99
By Gerald Bardo, contributing writer
Death came quietly for 99 year-old Clarence E. (Blonde) Marvin shortly after midnight Dec. 26 bringing to a close the life of one of Niobrara County's best known and loved citizens for the past 59 years.
He, and his late wife Gladys, moved to Lusk Aug. 1, 1929 to become a manger of the small Lusk Elevator which had been purchased by a Concord, Neb. firm.
Tri-State Milling Co. purchased the elevator in 1938, but Marvin continued as its manager. Through that business and participation in most major Lusk organizations he became well known to the entire county.
The Marvins joined the Baptist Church soon after arriving in Lusk. He was a trustee for many years and in 1964 was made an honorary trustee giving him permanent status on the body.
On Nov. 13, 1984, Marvin was honored by the Lusk Masonic Lodge for his 70 years in the order. He was the first initiated in the lodge at Niobrara, Neb. and upon transferring to the Lusk Lodge became one of its strongest members.
For many years he gave the Masonic funeral rites. He had been lodge worshipful master both in Nebraska and later at Lusk. He had an equally long membership in the Eastern Star and served as worthy patron here.
Having served in France during the latter months of World War I, it was natural for him to become involved in Post No. 4 of the American Legion of which he was a past commander. It would be difficult to say where his first loyalty lay.
As a member of the Lusk Lions Club, he was deeply involved with its activity during the years it also served as Lusk's Chamber of Commerce, and was a past president.
For eight years Marvin served on the Lusk Town Council. He was a charter member of the Niobrara Country Club and was still playing golf quite regularly through his 90th birthday.
He participated in various parts and responsibilities of the Legend of Rawhide pageant through its first 20 years of enactment. Especially during his earlier years, mixed in with all his activities was time for bird and big game hunting and fishing in Canada.
A fun-loving man, Blonde Marvin was to be found in any community activity where his droll personality was needed?as a policeman in a Midwest Hardware parade entry, rabbit salesman at a Lions Ladies night, even on the golf course. Countless stories circulate about the antics.
Blondie Marvin was born Sept 9, 1889 at Marne, Ia., the second oldest of 11 children of John and Ida Mae (Hunt) Marvin. The family moved to a farm at Bloomfield, Neb. in 1900.
He attended college at Fremont and Wayne, Neb. and then became engaged with his father in a grain and livestock business.
He married Gladys Rock on May 27, 1918, just before leaving for service with the 338th Field Artillery, 88th Division. Although he got to France, he saw little action before Armistice and often recounted on being on the first shipload of soldiers returning to the United States. He got into the elevator business soon afterward.
Sometime after Mrs. Marvin died in 1979, he moved to the Ranger apartments. Later a light stroke limited his use of his right hand, but he remained reasonable active, and until shortly before death continued regular smoking of cigars. He had moved to the Niobrara County Nursing Home July 17 this year.
He is survived by three sisters-in-law and nieces and nephews.
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Related/Linked Records
Record Type | Name | |
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Obituary | Marvin, Gladys (08/16/1889 - 03/03/1980) | View Record | Obituary | Rock, Ida (05/12/1867 - 10/16/1949) | View Record | Obituary | Rock, Gladys (01/08/1898 - 02/09/1978) | View Record | Obituary | Marvin, Ernest (05/04/1895 - 07/24/1957) | View Record |