She graduated from Streeter, ND high school and Ellendale Normal School. She taught elementary school in Canby, MN where she met her husband, Rudolph J "Brownie" Kempf. They were married in January 1948. In 1956 they moved to Dutton, MT where Marvel taught fifth grade until her retirement. Marvel remained in Dutton following Brownie's death in 1978 but moved to Choteau and, eventually, San Antonio, TX for health reasons.
Marvel's husband, parents, and siblings preceded her in death.
Surviving relatives include Dr. Barbara Melzer of San Antonio, TX and Beatrice Melzer, Minneapolis, MN Loa; Frieda Lloyd Reeser, Prescott, AZ Gene, Mike, Steve, Kathy; Helen Lowell Reeser, Battle Lake, MN Ron, Rae Carol, Kendall; and Mavis Reeser Dirks of Osage, MN Joan, Karen, Kevin, Todd. A memorial service celebrating her life will be held at Bethany Lutheran Church in Dutton, MT on June 5, 2004. Internment will follow at the Dutton Cemetery.
