More detail on this person: Marvin D. Sessions Marvin D. Sessions, 69, of Miller, S.D., died Monday, Sept. 14, 2009 at the Good Samaritan Society in Miller. Marvin Duane Sessions was born April 30, 1940 in the old opera house at the corner of Highways 14 and 45 in Miller, S.D., the first son of James Cecil and Shirley Novella (Butts) Sessions. Three more children followed, Edwin Leroy Sessions, Gary Roy Sessions and Carolyn Jean (Sessions) Haenfler. The family lived one mile east and one mile north of Miller until 1945 when Cecil purchased a farm two miles east and one mile north of St. Lawrence. Marvin attended St. Lawrence Public School for twelve years, graduating in 1958. On September 6, 1958, schoolmates Clair Bonebright, Albert Vitters, Donald Davis and Marvin enlisted in the U.S. Army at the S.D. State Fair in Huron. They were all fine soldiers and questioned their sanity many times during the nine weeks of basic training. One year later to the day, Marv boarded a troop ship in Brooklyn Army Terminal in New York for a nine-day trip to Germany. He was forever grateful that he did not join the Navy. He was never as sick before or after the Atlantic cruise. In May of 1962, Marvin married Elsa Feigl in Germany. They were blessed with three children, James Stefan, Marvin Alan and Michelle Ann. He remained in Germany until 1964, returning to the U.S. A most significant decision was made in 1965 to remain in the U.S. Army, when he entered Officers Candidate School and was commissioned in the infantry. He spent ten years overseas in Germany and two tours overseas in Vietnam. He retired in 1978 as a major after 20 years in the Army. He spent the next twelve years as a traveling salesman and ended his career working at SDSU and Catholic Church as a sanitary technician. On June 7, 1985, Marvin married his high school sweetheart and best friend, Beryle. His greatest love was Beryle. Highlights in his life included graduation from St. Lawrence High School, 20 years in the U.S. Army and attending Helicopter Flight School. His children and grandchildren were his greatest joys. He had no regrets. Marvin was a life member of the VFW, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Vietnam Helicopter Pilot Association and Military Officers Association of America. He attended the St. Lawrence Community Church and was a member of First English Lutheran Church in Aurora, S.D. Marvin is survived by his wife, Beryle of Miller; three children, James Stefan (Judy) Sessions of Yuma, Ariz., Marvin Alan (Shayla) Sessions of Stuttgart, Germany, Michelle Ann Ernster of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; four step-children, Susan (Ronnie) Engelhart of Zeeland, N.D., Alan (Patti) Haberling of Rapid City, Mark (Kari) Haberling of Faulkton, and Daniel (Jolynn) Haberling of Pierre; nine grandchildren;. Two brothers, Edwin (Judy) Sessions of Ridgefield, Wash. and Gary (MaryLou) Sessions of Rapid City; one sister, Carolyn (Duane) Haenfler of Hot Springs; one uncle, Cecil Butts of Sioux City, Iowa; and many friends. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, uncles and aunts. Pallbearers will be Nicholas Sessions, Stephan Sessions, Brad Pitts, Kyle Sessions, Will Ernster, Justin Toennies, Tyler Toennies, Marcus Haberling, Mike Sorensen and Ron Engelhart. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 19 at the St. Lawrence Community Church with the Rev. Dave Belzer officiating. Visitation will be Friday, Sept. 18 from 5-7 p.m. at Rembold Funeral Home in St. Lawrence with a 7 p.m. prayer service. Interment will be at G.A.R. Cemetery in Miller.
Burial information: G A R Cemetery, Miller, SD
This information was last updated 08/11/2020
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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