Marvin K. Dauner

Marvin Dauner, age 83, of Hawley, MN, died Saturday, December 18, 2010, in Viking Manor Nursing Home, Ulen, MN.Marvin Dauner was born December 4, 1927, in Keene Township, west of Hitterdal, Minnesota, to parents George and Mabel Dauner. He had three sisters Marie, Madelyn, and Laverne and one brother, Leroy. He married Shirley Jarvis in Glyndon, Minnesota on March 14, 1948. They made their home on the Dauner Farm north of Hawley where they raised five children. In 1961, he was named Clay County's Outstanding Young Farmer. In 1975, he and Shirley were presented with the Valley Farmer and Homemaker award at the Crookston Winter Shows. He enjoyed playing pinochle and bridge with the neighbors, making lefse, bowling and softball, and amateur calf tying at the Hawley Rodeo. In 1976, he moved for the first time in his life, moving two miles to the south to land he owned in Cromwell Township and built a home there. Marvin served on the Hitterdal School Board, the Hawley Co-op Elevator board, and the St. Ansgar Hospital Board. He also was a past president of his beloved Lysne Lutheran Church. He was a well-known speaker in area churches, serving as a lay minister, giving sermons and eulogies. In 1974, he began his political life, when he was elected to the Clay County Commission. He served until 1986, when he was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives, serving District 9B. Marvin was a very well-liked and respected legislator. He was very honored to be named Legislator of the Year in 1994, by the Association of Minnesota Counties. He retired from politics in 1996, and a special proclamation was made in the legislative chambers honoring his years of service. Marvin and Shirley continued to live in Cromwell Township after retirement, spending a few weeks every winter in Tucson, Arizona. They moved to Hawley in 2005, and to Ulen in 2008. He moved to Viking Manor in July of 2010. Through the years, Marvin has enjoyed Scrabble, card games, and watching sports, especially the Minnesota Twins. Most important to him has been his faith and the loving companionship of his wife Shirley, his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.He is survived by his wife Shirley, three sons; Ron of Minneapolis, Jeff Ginger of Hawley, Matt of Fargo; two daughters; Vicki Ardean Swenson of Pelican Rapids, and Kathy Roger Wang of Hawley; one sister, Madelyn Elroy Meissner of Tucson, Arizona, and one brother Leroy Audrey Dauner of Hawley; 14 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.