Marion Davenport

Marion Elaine Davenport, 79, a resident of Fergus Falls, died Thursday, July 4, 2013 at the Broen Memorial Home in Fergus Falls.

Marion was born June 2, 1934 in Starbuck, MN to Tom and Hilma (Halvorson) Thompson. She was raised on the family farm.

She attended country school in Douglas County, Kensington, MN and West Central School of Agriculture in Morris (WCSA), graduating in 1952. WCSA was where she met Don Davenport singing 8 part acapella harmony. They sang together for four years.

On April 16, 1955 she married Don Davenport at the Nora Lutheran Church near Kensington, MN. Together they lived in Western township on the family century farm. They retired from farming in 1998 and they continued to live on the family farm.

Marion was very active in her church, Western Presbyterian. She frequently played piano and organ for the youth choir, senior choir, bible school and Sunday school. She has been the church organist from 1974 till present; she played music for many church events and for vocalists. She almost always accompanied Don for services at many churches, for funerals, weddings and community activities. She enjoyed a wide range of music styles.

Marion was also active in 4-H, Ladies Aide, Norwegian Choir and the Red Hat Ladies. She served as church elder and delegate to Presbytery, and was on the Board of Directors for WCSA.

Family was the most important part of Marion's life. All family get-togethers were at "the farm". Marion enjoyed attending school functions for her children and grandchildren.

She loved flower gardening, watching and listening to the birds, sewing, cooking and entertaining. Summer was officially here each year when she was on her lawn mower caring for their extensive yard.

Marion is survived by her husband Don of Fergus Falls; children: Valerie Weiby (Ted) of Dassel, Vivian Whipple (David) of Fergus Falls, Lyle Alden Davenport (Tracy) of Hutchinson, Hollis Davenport (Melissa) of Campbell, and Mark Davenport (Paula) of Fergus Falls; grandchildren: Reagan Weiby, McKenzie Brickl (Rodney), Brianne Jensen (Lincoln), Shaunessy Weiby (Juan Villa), Jakkee Lindgren, Vanessa Whipple, Joshua Whipple (Heather Kugler), Max Blom (Emily Eltgroth), Grant Davenport (Mariah), Amanda Beck (Dan), Katherine Davenport (Don Robbins), Tyler Davenport, and Karly Davenport; great-grandchildren: Kylie Jensen, Drew Johnson, Paige Jensen, Liliana Brickl, and Cecelia Brickl; her sister Mae Thompson (Onan); sisters-in-law Mary Ellen Davenport, Gladyce Mittelstadt, Charlotte Wrigley, and Joan Davenport; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death were her siblings Herbert Thompson (Mary Jean/Patricia), Lillian Rosten (Richard),and Jeanne Thompson; also in-laws Warren Davenport, Lucille Pederson (Jack/Van), Eugene Davenport (Florence), Aaron Mittelstadt, and Thayne Wrigley; a niece Sharon Balgaard; and two nephews Lee Davenport and Dan Wrigley.

Visitation: 5-7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home with a 6:45 p.m. prayer service and resumes one hour prior to the service at the church.
Service: 1 p.m. Thursday, July 11, 2013, at The Federated Church in Fergus Falls
Clergy: Reverend John Lindholm
Interment: Western Presbyterian Cemetery, rural Fergus Falls
Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls is in charge of the arrangements.