Marvin Franz Kangas

Marvin Franz Kangas of Brandon, age 77, passed away peacefully on June 12, 2023. A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 17, 2023 11:00 a.m. at Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria with Pastor Ed Borchardt officiating. A public visitation will take place on Friday, June 16, 2023 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Anderson Funeral Home.

Marvin Kangas was born on November 27, 1945 to Stella (Heikkinen) and Henry Kangas on the family farm in Urness Township, rural Minnesota. He was the youngest of seven children.  There was a seven-year age gap between the last sibling and him, so he learned many things from his older siblings, especially his sister, Loretta. Marvin had a deep appreciation for the farm he grew up on, so he purchased it from his father, and he would live there his entire life.  Marvin liked the animals on the farm, but he loved the machinery and was an amazing mechanic. He attended school in Kensington and graduated in 1963 from Evansville High School.

After graduation, Marvin took a travelling job installing fire safety equipment at grain elevators. While working in Beulah, North Dakota, he stopped to eat at a café and met Dorothy Rose Schutt. They quickly became a couple, and Marvin endured many seven-hour commutes to see her during their courtship. After their wedding on January 15, 1972, Marvin and Dorothy moved back to the farm in Moe Township.

Together, Marvin and Dorothy welcomed two children: Kevin and Jennifer.  Dorothy was his world and the two could hold a whole conversation without saying a word.  They were an inseparable pair, Marvin even refused to leave her side whenever Dorothy had hospital stays. The two enjoyed gardening together, mowing the lawn as a pair, and because Dorothy loved horses, he even gave horseback riding a shot, which in Marvin’s eyes did not go well.

During his career years, Marvin stayed busy on the farm, and worked with his brother in their business partnership Kangas Brothers Equipment.  After Kangas Brothers closed, Marvin worked in the maintenance shop at Andes Tower Hills ski area until his retirement.

Marvin and Dorothy had been married for 49 years and 2 months, when Dorothy passed away at Alomere Healthcare Center in Alexandria March 15, 2021. After her passing, Marvin found peace knowing they would one day be reunited. During this time, he re-watched old westerns, fixed mechanical issues on old tractors or planned ways to fix them with his son Kevin, who definitely inherited his dad’s incredible mechanical abilities.  Marvin was a quiet man and would listen and give sound advice.  The last few years Marvin stayed at his daughter and son-in-law’s home, and he enjoyed visits from Kevin and his beloved granddaughters – as long as they weren’t too loud.

Marvin passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, June 12, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. Marvin is survived by his two children: Kevin (Jolene) Kangas, Jennifer (Jeff) Stormo; granddaughters: Alexis (Brandon) King, Katie Kangas, Stacey Kangas; great-grandson, Zane King; sister, Jean Root; and many other beloved family and friends. He is preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy; parents; siblings: Phyllis Kangas, Phillip Kangas, Lucille Elliott, Jack Kangas, Clare Kangas, and Loretta Williams; as well as nephew, Cory Kangas.