MARION A. DAVIS
December 21, 1913 ~ June 5, 2012

Marion Abby Davis, age 98 of Park Rapids, MN peacefully passed away on Tuesday, June 5, 2012 at the Heritage Living Center in Park Rapids.
Marion was born on December 21, 1913 to Wray and Dora (Andersen) Mountain in Cumberland, Iowa. The family moved to Hyde, Colorado in 1921 where Marion attended grade school through high school. As the 3rd oldest of 11 children, Marion developed her lifelong love of the outdoors and animals at an early age as she helped her father with the outdoor farm chores on their 320 acre farm. Her childhood memories on the plains of Eastern Colorado told of teams of horses and mules to farm, hazards of rattlesnakes and wild bulls, both snow and dust blizzards and a very resourceful life during the depression. A childhood interest in gathering wildflowers, prickly pears and arrowheads later turned into additional hobbies like berry picking, rock and fossil hunting and clam digging. After high school, Marion made the long commute between home and Denver to attend St. Joseph’s Hospital School of Nursing, graduating in 1936. It was there that she met Harold Davis and the two married on May 13, 1936. Their marriage was blessed with 4 children: Dorothy, Ronald, Donna and Randy. They lived in Denver for several years and ran a gas station. In 1942, the family moved to Los Angeles, California where she and Harold raised their children. Their active life included motorcycle racing, camping, fishing, photography and IOF (Independent Order of Foresters) activities. Moving to Kenai, Alaska in 1980 and purchasing a log cabin was a dream come true for Marion. They quickly became involved in numerous Alaskan outdoor activities. Visits from “Lower 48” friends and family, along with her children and grandchildren nearby, brought many happy memories. Active attendance at the senior centers of both Kenai and Soldotna provided many new friends. In 2003, Marion moved to Park Rapids, Minnesota with her eldest daughter, Dorothy and her husband Burt Fosse’s family, brought yet another experience. She was once again in farm country, but now with many gorgeous lakes and beautiful forests. Marion lived at Heritage Living Center for the past 8 years. She considered the staff there to be her friends and her new extended family. Marion introduced herself to them as “Grandma”. She always spoke very fondly of the staff and how happy she was living there. She frequently complimented the “good care” she received there, high praise from a self-defined “old RN”. Over her 98 years, she has had many wonderful experiences, lived in several interesting places and developed numerous treasured friendships. Throughout the years, she has always felt very close to her family, her friends and to her Mountain Family roots. She will be sadly missed, but we will fondly remember the time she shared with us while we celebrate her long and happy life.
Marion will be lovingly remembered by her children: Dorothy (Burt) Fosse of Park Rapids, MN, Ronald (Shelagh) Davis of Beatty, NV and Anchorage, AK, Donna Davis of Denver, CO and Randy Davis of Anchorage, AK; 4 grandchildren: Jason Davis, Burt Fosse III, Jennifer Fosse and Carl Fosse; 4 siblings: Helen Pont, Elva Dexter, Edward Mountain and Donna Cooley; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Harold who died in 1990; 2 brothers: Bert and Walter Mountain; 4 sisters: Waunita Brown, Margie Shannon, Phoebe Jane Black and Dorothy Gisi.
Marion will be buried in the Mountain Family Cemetery in Otis, CO beside her husband of 53 years, Harold.