Marvin E. VanCampen

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 Thuckline 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 o 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.

Memorial Contributions: Colorado Parkinson Foundation or BrightSpring Hospice Foundation. Donation’s be made in C/O Love Funeral Home, P.O. Box 188, Limon, Colorado 80828.