MARVIN EUGENE VANCAMPEN

Marvin Eugene VanCampen, age 90, passed November 12, 2024 at Morning Star Assisted Living & Memory Care at Mountain Shadows in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He was  surrounded by his loving wife of 71 years and several of his children and grandchildren. 

Born July 19, 1934 in Finney County, Kansas, Marvin was the youngest of five children. The  VanCampen family moved from Friend, KS to Simla, CO in August 1946. Marvin attended  and graduated from Simla High School in 1952. After graduation, he ranched with his father near Simla.

Marvin met his forever sweetheart at a school music festival in Cheyenne Wells, CO. On June 28, 1953.  Marvin married Margaret Opal Knutson in a little country  church outside of Genoa, CO. After a honeymoon to California, they moved to a ranch  north of Ramah, CO. They lived there for 52 years. 

To this union, four girls were born: Marilyn Kay (Ralph) Rains; Vicky Lynn (Donald) Moore;  Joni Renee (Dan) Watkins; Janean Rae (Don) Jolly. They had 9 grandchildren: Natalie (Jamie) Koonce; Nathan (Chanda) Rains; Kendra Bandt; Amanda Union; Staci (Matt) Swanson;  Kristi (Garrett) Carmack; Tyson (Melissa) Hamacher; Kelsie (Bryce) Rone; and Makenzie Jolly. They were blessed to have 18 great grandchildren: Alli Koonce; Wesley & Colton Rains; Ender & Gideon Lubchenco; Kaeden Johnson & Tavien Melvin; Quinn & Logan  Swanson; Cortland, Landon & Hadley Carmack; Aubrey, Alison, Lilly, Wyatt & T.W. Hamacher; and Kyvrie Rone. 

After moving to Colorado, Marvin worked a variety of jobs. In high school, he worked for  Eddie Cain Grocery Store, Simla Frozen Food Lockers, Standard Oil Station, and OK  Hamacher Well Works. He worked for J.J. Moreland Herefords for a number of years. Marvin  enjoyed stacking hay for local ranchers, hauling hay for the Simla Dairy from the San Luis Valley; driving semi; hauling livestock & hay for Link Truckline Genoa-Burlington Co. He  also drove school bus for Big Sandy School District from 1953 to 1973.

Marvin was very  active in his community. He served a term on the Simla School Board; two terms on the  Farmers Home Administration Board; and served as President of Elbert County Livestock  Association from 1976 to 1977. Marvin was very proud of his farming, ranching, and cattle.  He won several trophies and plaques over the years. 

Marvin and Margaret had a very good life on the ranch where they raised their four  daughters. After 40 years of hard work, they decided to take some time off to travel. They  cruised to Alaska, the Eastern Caribbean Isles, the Western Caribbean Isles, and Hawaii.  They took several trips to Mexico. They also toured the United States, seeing all but two  states. Marvin and Margaret retired in 2004, sold the ranch, and moved to a small acreage  west of Elizabeth in January of 2005. They enjoyed the “city” life until they moved in 2019. 

Marvin loved his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He enjoyed going to their  school activities and sports.

Fishing, 4-wheeling, Jeeping, camping, and hunting were just a few of the hobbies he enjoyed with his family. He enjoyed trying to be a golfer (his words)  and whooping everyone at cards. 

Marvin was preceded in death by his parents John & Mary (Lubbers) VanCampen and his  siblings Leota Koster, Gladys Sterling, Mildred Weber, and Edward VanCampen. 

The memorial service  was held Monday, November 18, 2024 at the Love Funeral Home Chapel in Limon.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Colorado Parkinson Foundation or  BrightSpring Hospice Foundation.