Marvin A. Trnka, age 84, of Mahnomen, MN, died Tuesday, December 15, 2009 at St. Mary's Regional Health Systems in Detroit Lakes, MN.

Marvin Albert Trnka was born May 27, 1925 to Joseph and Ethel (Busse) Trnka in Beaulieu, MN. He attended country school and also helped on the family farm. Marvin entered the United States Navy in 1944, serving during WWII and was honorably discharged in April of 1946. Following his discharge, Marvin returned back to Mahnomen where he was united in marriage to Cecilia Chromy in November of 1946 at St. Michael's Catholic Church. The couple made their home and raised their own family on Marvin's family farm. As a successful farmer, Marvin was the recipient of the Minnesota Soil and Water Conservation Award, Mahnomen County Outstanding Dairyman, and he and Cec were named the Valley Farmer and Homemaker Couple. After 31 years of farming, Marvin and Cec moved to town, where they have resided since. In the early 90's, Marvin's health forced him to retire from the Block Plant in Mahnomen after 14 years of employment.

Over the years, Marvin was an avid outdoorsman. He went elk hunting in Colorado, moose hunting in Canada and deer hunting every fall. He loved to go fishing and camping with friends and family. Marvin also enjoyed a good cup of coffee and playing cards like canasta, pinochle and cribbage, a game he proudly taught his kids and many of his grandkids. Marvin was an honorary life member of Knights of Columbus Mahnomen Council #2573, Ogema VFW Post #9880, and Mahnomen American Legion Isaacson-Bjorge Post #1226.

Marvin is survived by his wife of 63 years, Cecilia; three sons: Douglas (Deborah), Annandale, MN, Tim (Joan), Galesburg, ND, and Jeffrey (Susan) West Fargo, ND; three daughters: Shirley Sweep, Mahnomen, Yvonne Johs, Fargo, ND, and Jodi Erickson, Park Rapids, MN; 17 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; one brother, Lester (Sharon) Trnka, Waubun, MN; one sister, Betty Kezar, Thief River Falls, MN.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one great-grandson, Ben Trnka Jr.; one son-in-law, Alvin Sweep; four brothers: Arthur, David, Glenn, and Stanley "Bud" and one sister, Alene Hendrickson.

A memorial service will be held at 1:30 pm on Saturday, December 19, 2009 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Beaulieu, MN with a rosary led by the Knights of Columbus beginning at 1:15 p.m.

Inurnment will be on a later date at the Minnesota Veterans Cemetery, Little Falls, MN.

Memorials preferred in lieu of flowers.