Marvin Henry Wendland

Marvin Wendland (86) of Springfield, passed away Saturday, March 31, 2018 at St John Lutheran Home in Springfield. Marvin Henry Wendland was born November 14, 1931 in Albin Township, Brown County to Henry and Goldia (Maha) Wendland. At the age of 3, he moved with his family to the farm near Dotson, MN. He attended Dotson County School through the eighth grade and graduated from Springfield Public School in 1949 as Salutatorian of his graduating class. In 1952, Marvin graduated from the School of Agriculture, University of Minnesota and worked on farms in the Okabena and Fulda areas. He also enjoyed playing baseball with the Dotson Pasture League and was a member of the 1952 Brown County championship team. Marvin was drafted into the US Army on Oct 8, 1952. He arrived in Korea on Easter Eve (Apr 4), 1953 and was assigned to the 140th Tank Battalion, Company B, Tank B-32 (later 12) on the Main Line of Resistance on hill 758. He started as the gunner and later became the Tank Commander. On June 3, he was wounded by a mortar and was awarded the Purple Heart. He left Korea on April 9, 1954 as a Staff Sergeant. On February 12, 1961 Marvin married Fern Brinkman at St John Lutheran Church in Sherburn, Minnesota. They lived on the Wendland Farm outside of Dotson where they milked cows, worked the land and raised 4 children. The couple retired in 1993 and moved to a home in Springfield. Marvin enjoyed bowling on the Springfield bowling leagues and was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, American Legion, DAV, Order of Purple Heart and a charter member of Prairieland Defenders Chapter 807. He is survived by his children Terri (Terry) Carson of Bradley, SD, Dawn (Stuart) Walker of Rantoul, IL, and Daniel (Jennifer) Wendland of Luverne, MN; daughter-in-law Rebecca Wendland of Arlington, SD; grandchildren Robert Wendland, Kathryn Klumb, Brodrick Wendland, PFC Andrew Walker, Simon Walker, Jonas Walker, Emily Wendland, Courtney Wendland, and Harley Wendland; three great-grandchildren Addison, Caleb and Carson Klumb; brothers Myron Wendland of North Mankato, MN, Walter (Janet) Wendland of Lakewood, WA, Bernard (Inez) Wendland of Springfield, MN, Roman (Ruth) Wendland of Farmington, MN; sisters Ardis Schmidt of Lake Crystal, MN, Mary (Russell) Jeppesen of Morgan, MN, Berneida (Darold) Peck of Slayton, MN, Sharon (Dave) Schisler of Mascoutah, IL, Diane (John) Woodford of Redwood Falls, MN, Patrice (Chuck) Wermerskirchen of Jordan, MN and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, wife Fern Brinkman Wendland, son Keith Wendland, sisters Gloria (infant), Sylvia Irwin and Ardell Simning. Visitation 1 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm Wednesday, April 4, 2018 Sturm Funeral Home, Springfield Chapel 407 N. Jackson Springfield, Minnesota, United States 56087 Visitation 2 9:30 am - 10:30 am Thursday, April 5, 2018 St. Paul Lutheran Church, Springfield, MN 303 North Cass Ave. Springfield, Minnesota, United States 56087 Service Information 10:30 am Thursday, April 5, 2018 St. Paul Lutheran Church, Springfield, MN 303 North Cass Ave. Springfield, Minnesota, United States 56087 Interment 11:30 am Thursday, April 5, 2018 St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery, Springfield Address not given Springfield, Minnesota, United States 56087 Military Honors Military Honors by John Watson American Legion Post #257. Luncheon Luncheon at the church following services at the cemetery.