Marvin "Minks" Johnson, age 89, of Mahnomen, MN, died Saturday, June 10, 2017, at the Mahnomen Health Center Nursing Home. Marvin was born March 27, 1928, the fifth child born to Frank and Lena (Fairbanks). He attended Antell rural School until the 2nd grade when his family moved to town and his dad opened a bakery. Marvin went to St. Michael's School through the 8th grade followed by one year of classes at the Mahnomen High School. At the age of 17, with his mother's permission, he joined the United States Navy. He served in the Pacific and was one of five brothers serving overseas at the same time. Upon his honorable discharge, Marvin returned to the area and worked at a bakery in Detroit Lakes and a short time in Grand Forks as a butcher. While playing his violin at a dance at Rainbows End he met the love of his life, Anastasia "Tooty" Spaeth. The couple married on February 28, 1949, and was blessed with five children: four sons and one daughter. In 1950, Marvin took a job working for St. Michael's Parish at the church, school, priests house, and sisters house as a custodian. He was also very active in the church. He volunteered as Eucharistic Minister, lector, usher, alter server, sang in the choir and taught catechism for 25 years. He also helped to maintain the cemetery and was a Knights of Columbus member for 60+ years. Marvin would occasionally play his violin at Mass, but always during Christmas Midnight Mass. He retired from St. Michael's Church after 38 dedicated years. In addition to being the custodian, Marvin drove school bus for 47 years. He started with the Bejou route followed by the majority of his years on the Naytahwaush route. Marvin kept order on his bus and demanded respect from the students. He retired from driving bus in 1996. Tooty passed away in 2005 and Marvin has continued to make his home in Mahnomen. He was a member of the American Legion, VFW, White Earth Veterans Association, Mahnomen Historical Society and Foresters. Marvin enjoyed hunting, fishing, sausage making and smoking fish. In his spare time, he also liked working with wood, making many wonderful projects. His love for music began in the 2nd grade and continued throughout life. He played with different individuals including Tooty and also solo. Over the years, they played in several bands including the "Polka Dots" and the "Leftovers". He continued to play at the nursing home and assisted living until very recently. Marvin will be remembered for his great sense of humor and his joking around ability and missed by many. Marvin is survived by four sons; Doug (Mar-D), Buffalo, MN, Dean (Sharon), Mahnomen, Dan "Zeke" (Amy McCune), Osceola, WI, and Dewey (Heidi), Lindstrom, MN; one daughter, Darcy Johnson (Ross Schulstad), Mesa, AZ; nine grandchildren: Nicole, Destiny, Kari, David, Jake, Michelle, Jeremy, Lance and Kevin; 14 great-grandchildren: Neil, Nathan, Evan, Josh, Donavon, Bennett, Lawson, Ledger, Preston, Alexander, Aubrey, Reese, Amelia and Larkin; one great-great granddaughter, Emily; special friend and companion, Pat Collison; Mahnomen; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife, Tooty, Marvin was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers: John, Carl, Everette, Francis and Bill and two sisters, Carol Bement and infant, Ione Johnson. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, June 17, 2017, at St. Michael's Catholic Church, Mahnomen, MN, at 10 am. Visitation will take place at the church on Friday, June 16, 2017 from 5 pm until 7 pm, with a Prayer Service at 6:30 pm, followed by a KC Rosary. Burial will be in the St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery, Beaulieu, MN.