Racine – Marvin E. De Smidt, 95, passed away at Wheaton Franciscan All Saints Medical Center on Monday, November 20, 2006. He was born in the town of Greenbush on July 8, 1911, son of the late Erwin and Lillian (nee: Pearce) De Smidt. He moved to Somers at an early age, where he met his future wife, Carolyn Chirstensen. They were married there in 1932.
While growing up on his father’s farm, Marvin planted an apple orchard, and it was there that he discovered his gift for arboriculture. Starting with one employee – himself – he began De Smidt Tree Service with only his two hands, the tools around his waist and a ladder on his back in 1928. Marvin watched his business grow steadily until he officially retired in 1979. His definition of retirement, however, was quite different from many others. Marvin continued to work for a select group of clients, taking on projects, both big and small, that included major corporations, as well as private parties.
Marvin’s interests were not limited to arboriculture, however. He enjoyed traveling for both business and pleasure, visiting nearly all of the 50 states and into Canada. Marvin was devout and active in his religious community, as well. Early in his life, he became a Sunday School Superintendent at his first church in Somers. He was also a head usher in nearly every church he was a member of. He used his skills and expertise for his churches’ benefit, too, as he took on a supervisory role for the grounds at some of the churches he was a member of — but always as a volunteer.
Marvin was an active member of both his local and professional communities. He was a founding member of the Wisconsin Arborist Association; a member of International Society of Arboriculture; a charter member of the Midwestern Chapter of the International Shade Tree Conference; a part of the Racine Chamber of Commerce; and a member of the Gateway Technical Institute Advisory Committee; he was also a longtime member of the Sturtevant Lion’s Club, serving as its president from 1971-75. He also served on the Mt. Pleasant Sewer and Water Commission; as well as for the Parks Commission for the Racine County Fair.
Marvin’s life was blessed by a great many passions. Amongst these were the telling of a good joke or story, his profound love of nature, as well as the time he spent with his vast amount of relatives and friends. His love of the American automobile – especially its forefather, Henry Ford – was not missed by anyone that knew him well, nor was his passion for Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War to be forgotten. Marvin had a love of animals and found his last, faithful friend in his granddaughter’s dog, Gus.
In whatever he did or whomever he touched, Marvin was a planter of seeds, knowing that the fruits of his love and efforts would be borne for future generations to enjoy
He is survived by his beloved and devoted wife of 74 years, Carolyn; their daughter, Susan (Frank) Bado; grandchildren, Penny Duesler, Robert (Carolina) Bado; and Michael Bado; great-grandchildren Zachary, Maxwell, and Julia; and sister Majel Heckel. He is further survived by his nephews and nieces, Skip (Sharon) Seidel, Roger (Joyce) Kaiser, Patricia Christensen, Gary Christensen, Joan Drinkwine, Jack (Virginia) Christensen, Jim (Diane) Christensen, Dave (Nancy) Felbab, Jan (Ken) Christman, Cindy (Bob) Janke, and Carol Heckel; his special cousin, Dorothy Davidson; numerous great-nieces and nephews; as well as many other relatives and friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Virginia Patterson.
Funeral services will be held at the Kenosha Plymouth Congregational Church, 1411 25th Avenue at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 28 with Pastor Bob Moynihan officiating. All are invited to visit with the family in the funeral home Monday evening from 5 – 7 p.m, and in the church from 9:30 a.m. until the start of the service. Interment will take place at West Lawn Memorial Park. Memorials to Kenosha Plymouth Congregational Church have been suggested.
The family of Marvin E. De Smidt would like to thank the many doctors, nurses, and staff members of Wheaton Franciscan All Saints Medical Center and Home Instead home care-givers for their compassionate care and support given to Marvin and our family throughout the course of his illness.
Michael Brandl says
It is with great sadness that I learned of Mr. DeSmidt�۪s passing. I greatly enjoyed the opportunities I had to communicate with him. Sometimes I had the pleasure of talking with him face to face in his Mt. Pleasant home, but more often we exchanged letters. Our conversations covered a wide variety of topics on economics, politics and current event. I learned so much from him in each of our correspondences. He had a keen intellect, sharp mind and a very pleasant manner. He taught this economist a great deal. I will be forever indebted to him.