Marvin Harthun

Marvin Arnold Harthun, 61, a resident of Underwood, died Thursday, December 17, 2009, at Lake Region Hospital in Fergus Falls. He was born November 16, 1948, in Fergus Falls, the son of Ralph “Pete” and Irene “Sally” (Fiedler) Harthun. He attended school at Our Lady of Victory Elementary School, Perham High School, and Detroit Lakes Technical College. He served in the U.S. Navy for four years during the Viet Nam War, where he was stationed on the U.S.S. Apache in the Azore Islands. He was honorably discharged. During his military career he developed a lifetime friendship with Michael Murphy, who continued to be his “personal bodyguard” throughout the years.  On September 26, 1970, he married Barbara Jean Kugler in Maine, Minnesota. For the past 32 years cooking has been his passion and profession. He was a cook in hospitals, nursing homes, and schools. He was the owner of Marv’s Place in Underwood, home of “Marv’s Messy Burger”. He worked at the MN Veterans Home in Fergus Falls for the past 11 years, retiring in May of 2009. Marvin was known as the “neighborhood cook” for many years, especially for a dear friend, Peter Lindquist. He was a lifetime member of the Fergus Falls VFW, a member of the Lions Club of Dalton, served as acting mayor of Underwood while serving on the City Council, served for five years on the Underwood Fire Department, was a Title One committee member for the Underwood School, and was a member of St. James Catholic Church, where he also served on the parish Church Council. Marvin enjoyed cooking, fishing, camping, spending time with his children and grandchildren, especially on his pontoon, “toon”, and planning his annual Potato Dumpling Day. He is known to this day as “Uncle Mouse” and “Uncle Muffin” to all of his nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death were his mother, Sally Harthun; his father-in-law, Roydon Kugler; a childhood friend, Mike Rohde; and a special cousin-in-law, Daryl Kugler Sr. Survivors include his wife, Barb, of Underwood; three children: Wendy (Scott) Brendmoen of Underwood, Carmen (Stephen) Anderson of Fergus Falls, and Kayla (Mike) Harig of Fergus Falls; his grandchildren, who were the love of his life: Jayden and Owen Harig; his father, Pete Harthun of Dent; his mother-in-law, Bernice Kugler of Erhard; his sisters: Marian (David) Thompson of Underwood, Peggy (Greg) Meyer of Dent, and Colette (Jeff) Kilde and Julie (Gaylon) Bakken, all of Fergus Falls; a brother, Doug (Judy) Harthun of New York Mills; sisters-in-law, Shirley (Courtney) Sem of Underwood, and Darlene (Mike) Toso of Fergus Falls; a brother-in-law, Ron (Phyllis) Kugler of Underwood; and numerous nieces, nephews, and family members. Visitation: 4-6 p.m. Sunday at the Olson Funeral Home with 5:30 Parish Prayers, and  resumes one hour prior to the service at the church. Mass of Christian Burial: 11 a.m. Monday, December 21, 2009, at St. James Catholic Church, Maine Officiant: Father Greg Paffel Interment: St. James Catholic Cemetery, Maine Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls Condolences may be sent online at www.olsonfuneralhome.com