1928
(Ezra)
2015
(Ezra) Mansfield
April 7, 1928 — June 12, 2015
Marvin Mansfield, 87, died Friday at the Fergus Falls Veteran's Home following a long and courageous battle with Huntington's Disease.
(Ezra) Marvin Mansfield was born on April 7, 1928 in Cleveland, Ohio, to Chester and Ida (Johnson) Mansfield. He graduated from West Tech High School in 1946. He married Beverley Jones in Lansing, Michigan on June 18, 1949 while attending Michigan State University under a baseball scholarship. Marv graduated in 1950 with a B.S. degree in Wildlife Management and began his career with the Ohio Division of Wildlife, working in Chillicothe, Ohio. Marv also served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War, stationed in Denver, Colorado and Spokane, Washington.
In 1959, the family, which now included Doug and Dick, moved to Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge near Thief River Falls, Minnesota where he began his 29-year career with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In 1961, the family moved to J. Clark Salyer Refuge near Upham, North Dakota. Then it was on to Slade Refuge near Dawson, North Dakota from 1963-1971, where David and Darin joined the family. During these years, Marv was first exposed to the management of small Waterfowl Production Areas and established a resident goose flock . In 1971 they moved to Fergus Falls, where he managed the Wetland Management Office until his retirement in September of 1982.
Marv's commitment to Christ was a very important part of his life. He was currently a member of Grace United Methodist Church where he taught Sunday School, Wednesday School and served on various boards through the years. He was a member of the Gideons International and enjoyed participating in their jail ministry. He also enjoyed attending Full Gospel and Bible studies. He was a Godly man, marked by strong trust in the Lord and moral integrity. In spite of many challenges, his faith was obvious until the end of his life.
He loved the beauty of God's creation and was dedicated to preserving land, trees, and waterfowl. He belonged to the Isaac Walton League.
Marvin's hobbies included hunting, fishing, gardening, traveling, flying and baseball. He played organized ball for 30 years, and started and coached youth baseball teams while in Dawson, North Dakota.
Preceding him in death were his parents; his brother Arthur ("Dynie"), his sisters Edith Aernie and Laura Henderson, and nephews Bob and Bill Mansfield.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 66 years: Beverley; four sons: Douglas (Beth) of Brainerd, Richard (Dick) of Olathe. Kansas, David, and Darin (Denise) all of Fergus Falls; seven grandchildren: Gregory (Kelly), Brian (Lisa), Aaron, Jesse, Randall (Katie), Samantha, and Christine; and four great-grandchildren.
The family prefers donations to Huntington's Disease Society of America (HDSA) or Huntington's Disease - Northern Prairie Affiliate.
Visitation: Tuesday, June 16 from 6-8 pm with prayer and sharing service at 7:30 at Glende-Nilson Funeral Home.
Service: Wednesday, June 17 at 2pm at Grace United Methodist Church
Clergy: Revs. Wesley Gabel and Patrick Herzog
Burial: Fort Snelling, St. Paul
Ezra Mansfield Video
Marvin's Folder
(Ezra) Marvin Mansfield was born on April 7, 1928 in Cleveland, Ohio, to Chester and Ida (Johnson) Mansfield. He graduated from West Tech High School in 1946. He married Beverley Jones in Lansing, Michigan on June 18, 1949 while attending Michigan State University under a baseball scholarship. Marv graduated in 1950 with a B.S. degree in Wildlife Management and began his career with the Ohio Division of Wildlife, working in Chillicothe, Ohio. Marv also served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War, stationed in Denver, Colorado and Spokane, Washington.
In 1959, the family, which now included Doug and Dick, moved to Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge near Thief River Falls, Minnesota where he began his 29-year career with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In 1961, the family moved to J. Clark Salyer Refuge near Upham, North Dakota. Then it was on to Slade Refuge near Dawson, North Dakota from 1963-1971, where David and Darin joined the family. During these years, Marv was first exposed to the management of small Waterfowl Production Areas and established a resident goose flock . In 1971 they moved to Fergus Falls, where he managed the Wetland Management Office until his retirement in September of 1982.
Marv's commitment to Christ was a very important part of his life. He was currently a member of Grace United Methodist Church where he taught Sunday School, Wednesday School and served on various boards through the years. He was a member of the Gideons International and enjoyed participating in their jail ministry. He also enjoyed attending Full Gospel and Bible studies. He was a Godly man, marked by strong trust in the Lord and moral integrity. In spite of many challenges, his faith was obvious until the end of his life.
He loved the beauty of God's creation and was dedicated to preserving land, trees, and waterfowl. He belonged to the Isaac Walton League.
Marvin's hobbies included hunting, fishing, gardening, traveling, flying and baseball. He played organized ball for 30 years, and started and coached youth baseball teams while in Dawson, North Dakota.
Preceding him in death were his parents; his brother Arthur ("Dynie"), his sisters Edith Aernie and Laura Henderson, and nephews Bob and Bill Mansfield.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 66 years: Beverley; four sons: Douglas (Beth) of Brainerd, Richard (Dick) of Olathe. Kansas, David, and Darin (Denise) all of Fergus Falls; seven grandchildren: Gregory (Kelly), Brian (Lisa), Aaron, Jesse, Randall (Katie), Samantha, and Christine; and four great-grandchildren.
The family prefers donations to Huntington's Disease Society of America (HDSA) or Huntington's Disease - Northern Prairie Affiliate.
Visitation: Tuesday, June 16 from 6-8 pm with prayer and sharing service at 7:30 at Glende-Nilson Funeral Home.
Service: Wednesday, June 17 at 2pm at Grace United Methodist Church
Clergy: Revs. Wesley Gabel and Patrick Herzog
Burial: Fort Snelling, St. Paul
Marvin's Folder
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