Marvin Raymond Klingele

Marvin Raymond Klingele, 77, formerly of Wapato, Washington, was surrounded by family and friends when he passed away at Highgate Senior Living Thursday, February 12, 2015, after an extended struggle with Alzheimer’s.

Marvin was born January 7, 1938, in Yakima, Washington, to Vincent and Leah (St. George) Klingele. He grew up in Yakima along with his two brothers, Ron and Jerry. The three of them worked hard from a young age to help the family. Marvin had paper routes, worked at a Spud nut shop making donuts and breakfasts, and in stores as a box boy, stocker, and cashier. During his younger years he also sometimes worked in his Uncle Jim’s orchard. This planted the dream Marvin had of farming his own land. Marvin graduated from Yakima High School. He married Barbara Jean Hawkins on September 12, 1956. Together they raised a family of five children: Debra, William, Christopher, Shawn and Tyler. During this time Marvin began driving truck for Associated Grocers, delivering groceries to stores from Yakima to Walla Walla. This career was to last 44 years until his retirement in 2004. Marvin moved the family to a farm in the west Wapato area in 1974 after building their home with the help of his good friends, Max Gabbard, Dave Stahl and his family. On this acreage Marvin was able to fulfill his dream of farming by growing apricots, pears, and apples. He enjoyed working with his family in the orchards doing pruning, picking and all the other tasks associated with farming. Marvin spent many years driving truck in the early morning hours to late afternoon only to return home to work late in the evenings in his orchards. He was always enthusiastic about the coming crops and enjoyed having Barbara and the kids involved in the orchard work. A man of many talents, he was good at carpentry, electrical, plumbing, roofing, concrete finishing, and of course, farm equipment repair. Marvin was most content while working hard. He instilled a strong work ethic into his children, teaching them to work hard at anything they tried to do.

Whenever Marvin’s children could drag him off the farm, he enjoyed going camping, waterskiing, snow skiing, and snowmobiling. As a young man he was taught to fly by Charlie McAllister, who signed Marvin’s pilot license. Later on he purchased his own plane and passed the flying bug onto his sons, Chris and Shawn. Recently two of his grandchildren, Beth and Jared Klingele, continued the love of flying by earning their licenses. He also liked to challenge his sons and grandkids to running foot races - positive that even though he was much older, he could still give them a run for their money!

Marvin was a giving man, always ready to offer help to anyone who was in need of it, often giving up what little time or sleep he allowed himself. Although he was a strong man, the deaths of his sons - Tyler in 2003, and Bill in 2005 - seemed to be more than he could withstand. A few years after those loses, Marvin began to develop signs of dementia and Alzheimer’s. Even as the disease progressed you could tell he cherished the time he spent with his family and would light up whenever they were around. In October 2013, Marvin moved into Highgate Senior Living where he could receive the safety and care that he required.

Marvin is survived by his wife of 58 years, Barbara Klingele of Yakima; his children: Debbie (Marvin) Stamper, of Yakima, Chris (Ann) Klingele, of Wapato, and Shawn (Jackie) Klingele, of Wapato; his grandchildren: Megan (Mike) Swenson, Ben (Summer) Stamper, Nick (Nora) Stamper, Amanda Stamper, Chere Klingele, Beth Klingele, Jared Klingele, Katie Klingele, Justin Klingele, and Caitlin Klingele; and 7 great grandchildren (one of which was born the day before Marvin died). He is also survived by his two brothers, Jerry Klingele, of Yakima, and Ron Klingele, of Prosser, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Marvin was preceded in death by his sons, Bill and Tyler; and his parents, Vincent and Leah Klingele.

The family would like to thank the staff at Highgate Senior living for all their hard work and care they gave to Marvin during his time there. They would also like to thank the nurses from Yakima Regional Home Health and Hospice for their care and concern during the end of Marvin’s life.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, February 19, 2015 at Langevin El Paraiso Funeral Home. A funeral service will also be held at the funeral home at 2:00 p.m., Friday, February 20, 2015. Interment will follow at Terrace Heights Memorial Park. To share a memory of Marvin, please visit www.lepfuneralhome.com.