Marvin Kruthoff

Marvin B. Kruthoff, age 85, died Thursday, March 17, 2016, at the VA Medical Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Visitations will be from 2-4 p.m. Sunday at Furness Funeral Home in Clark. Interment will be at Rose Hill Cemetery in Clark.

Marvin was born June 12, 1930, at Clark, South Dakota, to Harvey and Viola (Mehlberg) Kruthoff. After his mother's death, Marvin's grandparents Carl and Agnus took him and his brother Merlyn. They promised their mother they would be raised together. Times were very tight in the dirty thirties. His grandparents gave Marvin and Merlyn a good up-bringing, making sure they had what they needed. After their grandparents' passing, they were taken in by their uncle and aunt.

Marvin attended school in his early years, but his high school years were spent on the back of a tractor seat helping his uncles plant crops. Even without a high school education he developed the skills to provide a good life for his wife and family.

After his father married Hattie Bowers, Marvin gained three step-brothers: Jack, Jim, and Duane Bowers. From this union he gained four more brothers and a sister: Richard (Punk) Bowers, Dale, Gene, and Gary and Lucille Kruthoff.

In January 1952 Marvin left to serve his country by joining the 103rd Combat Engineers in the U.S. Army. During the Korean Conflict he helped build bridges and roads for the big guns, and he learned to drive heavy equipment. He spent a short time in Korea, with the majority of his time in Stattburg, Germany. While on leave he returned to marry his bride, Helen Wegner, on June 24, 1952. He called this his shotgun wedding, with a big gun. He finished his service to the country in 1954.

Marvin returned to Clark, South Dakota, to meet his daughter Margaret. He and Helen also had Allan and Marilyn before moving the family to Concord, California. Two sons, Michael and Dennis, were born in Concord, California. Marvin worked many years for Sears Auto Center. He retired and moved the family back to Clark in 1972.

Marvin and Merlyn owned and operated M&M Truck Stop in Clark for many years. The business was sold to Jim Mahlen, changing the name to Mahlen's Tire Company. Marvin stayed on as the mechanic. He took his time to teach his sons his mechanic skills. Mike took his dad's teaching and became a mechanic himself. He retired one more time. His brother, Gary Kruthoff, talked him out of retirement to become partners in K&K Auto. Once again picking up a wrench and putting on his K&K ball cap he went back as a mechanic. Marvin was a well respected mechanic for most of his life around Clark. Retiring again, he couldn't just retire. He started a mowing and garden tilling service for many in the Clark area. He and Helen moved to Watertown, South Dakota, to be closer to sons Dennis (Missy) and Allan, and his grandchildren Trevor and Trace.

His greatest joy of course was his family. But he loved a good weekend spent at the river fishing. He owned many boats and always had what he called "fishing money" in his wallet.

Survivors include his wife, Helen; son Allan (Karen) of Watertown, daughter Marilyn (Lyle) Christensen of Rapid City, son Mike (Dottie) Kruthoff of Rapid City, and son Dennis (Missy) Kruthoff of Watertown; grandchildren: David (Dawn) Christensen of Rapid City, Dustin (Jenn) Christensen of Rapid City, Zachary Kruthoff of Winner, SD, Trevor and Trace Kruthoff of Watertown, Anna West of Eagle Butte, Jamie (Bill) Soles of Gregory, SD; great-grandkids: Kyrsten, Alyssa, Eli, and Brendan Christensen, all of Rapid City; brothers: Dale (Sandy) Kruthoff of Turlock, CA, Gary (Linda) Kruthoff of Clark, and Jim (Jean) Bowers of Redfield, SD; along with numerous nieces and nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harvey and Viola Kruthoff; grandparents, Carl and Agnus; daughter, Margaret Kruthoff; an infant granddaughter, Melonie; sister Lucille; brothers Merlyn Kruthoff, Richard, Gene, Jack, and Duane Bowers; and step-mother, Hattie Kruthoff.