Manvil Dvergsten

Manvil Delbert Dvergsten, 88, of Greenbush, MN, died on Sunday, July 3, 2016 in LifeCare Greenbush Manor at Greenbush.

It seems fitting that Dad left his earthly home on the eve of July 4^th. He was a veteran of the Korean War and looked forward to those patriotic holidays where others could ponder the cost of freedom.

Manvil Delbert Dvergsten was born on October 3, 1927 in rural Greenbush, MN to Melvin and Della (Miller) Dvergsten. He was the oldest of five sons. He attended grades 1-8 at District 54 country school, which was a half mile walk from the family home. So that he could attend high school, he moved to town and stayed with Tommy and Hulda Hendrickson for the next two years. From the fall of 1943 to the fall of 1946, he traveled to various places doing seasonal farm labor including Kennedy, MN, and Grafton and Minto, ND. In 1946 he moved back to Greenbush and bought his own place southeast of town – 160 acres for $1100. In January 1951, he left for basic training at Camp McCoy, WI to begin his 21-month service in the United States Army, 12 of those months being in Korea during the Korean War.

On June 6, 1953, Manvil married Beatrice Williamson at the Bethel Lutheran Church in Greenbush. It rained that Saturday evening during the 7:30 pm ceremony and was said, “Showers a blessing.” That has proven to be true for them as this past month they celebrated their 63^rd wedding anniversary.

Following their marriage, they moved into a little, old two-story house across from the church. That fall they started building the house on the farm that they would call home for the next 28 years. Their farming operation throughout the years centered mostly on cattle, turkeys, and small grains. Working out was intermittently necessary. At different times, Manvil was employed on construction at Drayton, ND, at Polaris Industries, the American Legion Club, and as a sub mail carrier. In 1979, he was appointed as a full-time mail carrier until his retirement on January 2, 1993.

In June 1981, they built a home in town when Jim married and took over the farm. For several winters, they enjoyed the status of “snow birds” in Lake Havasu City, AZ. In 2013, they moved to LifeCare Greenbush Manor.

In addition to work, home, and family, Manvil was very involved with the American Legion Moen-Zimek Post 88, Lions Club, and Bethel Lutheran Church, having served on the church council, and the ushering and cemetery committees. He was also on a golf league at one time. In 2005, he and Beatrice were recognized for the work they had done to create a lasting memorial for local veterans, which is displayed at the Greenbush Public Library. In 2012, he was awarded the Melvin Jones Fellowship by the Lions and in 2013, he received the honor of being named Roseau County Senior Citizen Volunteer of the Year.

He enjoyed playing cards, drives around the countryside, going to the farm to check out the cows and crops, past traveling adventures, and of course, his annual trip to the hunting camp. His ever-present optimism and positive attitude have been an inspiration to many.

Manvil died on July 3, 2016 at LifeCare Greenbush Manor surrounded by his family at the age of 88 years and nine months.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Delbert and Donald, and brothers and sisters-in-law, including Vivian Dvergsten, Freddie and Mabel Haugen, Kermit Williamson, and Daphne Williamson, and nephews Darwin Dvergsten, Wayne Dvergsten, Merlin Haugen, Rodney Williamson, and Robbie Williamson.

Left to mourn his passing are his wife, four children and spouses, 11 grandchildren and spouses, and 10 great-grandchildren. Children: Pamela (Craig) Lee of Glasgow, MT, Cindy (Steve) Agre of Killdeer, ND, Kari (Merlyn) Wiskow of Greenbush, and James (Beth) Dvergsten of Greenbush. Grandchildren: Hilary, Marcus, and Ethan Lee, Shauna (Stacy) Nelson, Kelly (Brad) King, Joshua (Tanya) Wiskow, Joseph (Joni) Wiskow, Jacob Wiskow, Elizabeth (Guillaume) Beauce, Dexter Dvergsten, and Kristina (Andrew) Jacobs. Great-grandchildren: Rylee and Henry Nelson, Ethan Agre, Ryann King, Austin, Taylor, and Brody Wiskow, Swayze and Remmik Wiskow, and Henrik Beauce. Brothers: Arvid (Lois) Dvergsten and Gerald (Florence) Dvergsten. In-laws: Ardith Dvergsten, Rose Williamson, and Arvid Williamson, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Funeral Services were held on Friday, July 8, 2016 at 2 PM in Bethel Lutheran Church of Greenbush with Pastor Mark Mathews, officiating. Linda Sovde was the organist. Pallbearers were their grandchildren & great-grandchildren. Honorary Pallbearers were Manvil’s A-frame hunting cabin buddies: Russell Sr., Russell Jr. & Russell Carl Wicklund, James, Luc, Eric & Isaac Wicklund, Kirby & Colton Penas, Brian & Braxton Kjos, Jim & Dexter Dvergsten.

Burial was in Bethel Lutheran Cemetery with Military Honors provided by the Moen-Zimek Post 88, American Legion of Greenbush. Funeral arrangements were with Gieseke Funeral Chapel of Greenbush.