Marvin Milton Gensler

Marvin M. Gensler was born on December 21, 1928, in Detroit, Michigan. He was the second of seven children born to Felix L. Gensler and Helen Dennis. His brother, Irving, was born in 1927, followed by Marvin in 1928, Jean in 1930, twins Lois and Phyllis in 1932, Joan in 1934, and Eva in 1938.

As a child Marvin attended the Church of the Messiah on Jefferson Avenue in Detroit and served as an altar boy. He later worshipped at St. Philip’s in Rochester, Mariner’s Church in Detroit, and St. Michael’s in Cookeville.

His father was an electrician, and at an early age he learned the trade. Times were hard in Detroit during the 1930’s, and Marvin learned the value of hard work. It was a lesson that he never forgot for the rest of his life and a character trait that he passed along to his children and grandchildren.

He met the love of his life, Wanda Minton, while visiting friends in Hazel Park, Michigan. They married in 1950, and their marriage has lasted for more than 64 years. Son Neil was born in 1955, followed by Rise in 1957.

Through the years Marvin was a prolific home builder. He and Wanda built many of the homes in which they lived; the first on Combermere Street in Troy, then on Rochester Road in Rochester, Wimberly Drive in Rochester, a log home on Main Street in Baxter, and a lake home on Cookeville Boat Dock Road in Cookeville. He also graciously assisted innumerable friends and family members with his building and electrical skills.

After many years working various jobs, including Gregory Boat Works, Chrysler Tank and Detroit Broach, Marvin was offered a job as an electrical inspector for the City of Oak Park. This led to a position with the City of Berkley Building Department. He later was appointed Director of the Berkley Public Works Department, a position from which he retired. While with the City of Berkley, he was instrumental in organizing the Berkley Christmas Parade for many years, a task which he loved and of which he was very proud.

After retiring in 1985, Marvin and Wanda left their home in Michigan and retired to Baxter, Tennessee, where they built a log home on property previously owned by Wanda’s grandfather. Marvin eagerly jumped into his new role, selling tobacco fertilizer to local farmers, nurturing an amazing vegetable garden, and cultivating a new hobby, fishing. Much traveling also ensued, with trips taking them from the U.P. to Florida, and from San Francisco to Boston. In 1995, they again bought a home in Michigan and began splitting their time between Tennessee and Michigan.

Marvin’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren added countless hours of joy and sunshine to the later years of his life, and he had great pride in each of them and their successes. Erica was born in 1974, followed by Neil Philip II in 1978, Maria in 1989, Jennifer in 1990, and Natalie in 1991. Deon and Danica joined the family in 1989. Marvin and Wanda were delighted at the birth of their great-grandchildren, Hayes in 2010 and Calen in 2012, and always looked forward to their visits. Their very most favorite photo is of Pa, Hayes and Calen.

Marvin is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Wanda, devoted children Neil (Jacqueline) Gensler and Rise (Leon) Frendberg, grandchildren Erica (Tim) O’Brien, Neil Gensler II, Maria (Michael) Beemer, Jennifer Gensler, Natalie Frendberg, Deon Vaughn and Danica Vaughn, as well as sister-in-law Loreid Curtis and a host of nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his siblings Irving, Jean, Lois, Phyllis, Joan and Eva, as well as sister-in-law Donnie Sue Strobel and brothers-in-law Raymond Curtis and Carmon Strobel, with whom he shared many good times.

Memorial contributions in memory of Marvin may be sent to:

The Parade Company, http://www.theparade.org/donate/

Old Newsboys Goodfellow Fund of Detroit, http://detroitgoodfellows.org/donate.html