MARVIN ERNEST LEMPOLA
September 14, 1929 – May 27, 2012 

Marvin Ernest Lempola, 82, a lifelong Park Rapids/Osage area resident, was promoted into Glory on Sunday, May 27, 2012 while residing at the Oak Crossing Rehabilitation Center in Detroit Lakes, MN following a fall that fractured his hip.
Marvin was born on September 14, 1929 near Wolf Lake, MN to John and Elina (Koskela) Lempola. He grew up on his parent’s dairy farm near Wolf Lake and attended the District 72-2 Country School near his home. As a young man he stayed on the farm where he helped with the farm work and caring for his invalid mother. On June 9, 1951, Marv was united in marriage to Coralyn Tidrick at the Menahga Assembly of God Church. He farmed for a time with his father near Hillview, MN until purchasing a farm of his own in Todd Township north of Park Rapids. Here he and Coralyn raised a fine herd of Jersey Dairy Cattle which he and Coralyn and the boys milked and cared for. He also put in long days working in the fields raising the crops needed to feed his herd. In 1971, their large dairy barn burned to the ground, taking many of their cows with it. At that time, the Lempola’s made the transition to a farrow to finish hog operation and also raised beef cattle. In addition, Marvin and his family raised registered St. Bernard dogs which they sold nationwide for many years. Marvin was also a very capable mechanic and worked for many years as a mechanic at the Ford Garage in Park Rapids. He also worked as a mechanic for Gulbranson Equipment and as a truck driver/salesman for Spaeth Beverages both in Park Rapids. In his spare time, Marv enjoyed fishing with his family and friends, riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle, camping and traveling. Marv had a deep appreciation for music and had taught himself to play the guitar and accordion all by ear. He attended the Grace Community Church of Osage and had served on the Todd Township Board for many years. Above all, Marv worked very hard his entire life to provide for his wife and family, who he loved with all his heart, the very best he could.
He will be lovingly remembered by his precious wife, Coralyn of Osage; his three sons: Jeff (Patti) Lempola of Bemidji, MN, Kevin (Debbie) Lempola of Park Rapids and Greg (Ann) Lempola of Park Rapids; 11 much loved grandchildren: Mike (Katie) Lempola of Bemidji, Tom (Bethany) Lempola of Lakeville, MN, Jason Lempola of Hopkins, MN, Elizabeth Lempola of Park Rapids, Brian Lempola of Baxter, MN, Kimberly Lempola of Park Rapids, JT Lempola of Fargo, Luke (Jessica) Wattenhofer of Park Rapids, Levi (Brandi) Wattenhofer of Park Rapids, Kelsey (Rocky) Donatelle of Excelsior, MN and Allison Lempola of Park Rapids; 8 precious great grandchildren: Carter, Blake, AnaBelle, Hailee, Clayton, Kassiah, Kyla and Chloe; his sister, Violet Samuelson of Menahga; brother and sister-in-law, Galen and Edie Tidrick of Brentwood, CA as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Marvin was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Laila Ellen; two brothers-in-law: Garry Tidrick and Art Samuelson and one nephew, Richard Samuelson.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, June 2, 2012 at Grace Community Church in Osage, MN with Reverend Paul McKibben officiating. The organist will be Dorothy Crook. Bill and Jan Lundsten will sing “On the Wings of a Snow White Dove” and “Precious Lord, Take My Hand”. The congregational hymns will be “Amazing Grace” and “Because He Lives, I Can Face Tommorrow”. The urnbearers will be his grandchildren. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.