Marvel Danielson, age 96, died Wednesday, June 27, 2007, at Viking Manor Nursing Home, Ulen, Minnesota.

Marvel Danielson was born November 18, 1910, in Twin Valley, Minnesota, the second of seven daughters and one son to be born to Oscar and Bertha Danielson. She was baptized in the West Wild Rice Church and confirmed in Zion Lutheran Church in Twin Valley.

Shortly after graduating with honors from Twin Valley High School, she worked at the Hanson Mercantile Store and at Knutson's Café. She was frequently sought out by several "prominent" women in the city to style a new hair-do for the sum of 10 cents. No tips I'm sure.

She moved far west to Ada to seek other employment and did work there for a short time before the big city beckoned her to greener pastures at Miller's Hospital. It was during this time (WWII) that she started volunteering, sewing bandages for the American Red Cross. After 10 years at the Millers, she felt the need for a change and was hired by St. Paul Fire and Marine Ins. Co. She remained with them until retirement at the age of 63. It was then that volunteering went into full swing. She was in demand by her church and numerous organizations. Her time was of great value to them, but it also provided a great social outlet as well as "free" lunch, coffee, cookies and rides when she was no longer able to ride the bus.

When she could no longer live in her third floor apartment, she moved to California to live with our recently widowed sister. Marvel did not miss the Minnesota winters one bit. Can you imagine that?

Marvel remained single and so had no children of her own but her many nieces and nephews were special to her. In her Valentines and birthday cards would be dimes, carefully taped and later when inflation hit, dollar bills.

Marvel entered Viking Manor Nursing Home on February 14, 2006 and celebrated her 96th birthday with some family members and residents last November.

Marvel is survived by four sisters; Esther Ostrem of Tacoma, WA, Hazel Hegstad of Bemidji, MN, Harriet (Ernest) Malmskog of Park Rapids, MN and Joyce (Snookie) Drechsel of Crookston, MN and many nieces and nephews and many grand nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, Evelyn Johnson and Ardis Nicholson and one brother, Ernest Danielson.

A Graveside Memorial Service will be held on Friday, July 6th at 3:00 PM at the Bethel Swedish Cemetery, rural Twin Valley, Minnesota. Officiating will be Pastor Loren Fevig. Urnbearer will be Jon Drechsel.