Marvin F. Japel

Marvin F. Japel, 71 of Sioux City passed away on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2013 at a Sioux City hospital. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Tuesday at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. Rev. Merlin Schrad will officiate. Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel will host a visitation from 4:00 - 8:00 P.M. Monday with the family present from 6:00 - 8:00 P.M. There will be a rosary recited at 4:00 P.M. Monday by the Catholic Daughters of America. The 3rd Degree Knights of Columbus will recite a rosary at 6:30 with a Chalice Service by the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus to follow. A parish vigil service will be at 7:00 P.M. Monday all at the funeral home. Online condolences may be sent to www.meyerbroschapels.com. Marvin was born March 6, 1942 in Tower City, ND; he was the son of Frank and Leona (Rutherford) Japel. Marvin grew up in Tower City and graduated from Tower City High School. He studied electronics and graduated from North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton, ND. Marvin married Mary L. White Aug. 26, 1967 in Minneapolis, MN. They spent 46 years together. They started their family in MN with the addition of Joseph and Nathan, continued their family in Lincoln, NE with Aaron, KS with Matthew, before moving to Sioux City with the boys in 1981. Marvin spent a large portion of his professional career with General Electric before starting his own communication business, Commart. Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church was a major part of Marvin's life as was the 3rd and 4th Degree Knights of Columbus where he served as a leader and mentor. Marvin was a welcoming friend to many and a warmhearted father figure to his children's friends and countless others. Marvin was master at joining people together. He spent countless happy hours with the family teaching and coaching them through card games, soccer teams, boy scouts and projects, all of which he loved. Engaging people was in Marvin's blood, whether in his work or meeting people through his extensive travels with Mary. Marvin loved and lived well and thoughtfully. Marvin was quick with a joke or a quote and never missed an opportunity for a witty toast. He is survived by his wife Mary of Sioux City; 4 sons: Joseph (Kimberly) Japel of Sioux City, Nathan (Stefanie) Japel of Denver, CO, Aaron (Margi) Japel of Jackson, WY, Matthew Japel and Tracy Lopez of Missoula, MT, 4 sisters and a brother: Arlene (Don) Altringer of Jamestown, ND, Elaine Schultz of Brainerd, MN, Marlys (John) Roney of Fargo, ND, Loren (Sue) Japel of Bismarck, ND, Karen (Doug ) Schweigert of Powell, WY; 8 grandchildren: Alexander, Maxwell, Mia Mary Rose, Mazie, Olive, Olin, Evangeline and Alet. Marvin was preceded in death by his parents and his sister JoAnn Jacobs. A memorial has been established in Marvin's name.