Obituary of Marvin Clyde LaFollette

Marvin (Marv) LaFollette passed away while at UC Greeley Hospital, on Saturday, October 1, 2022.            

Marv was born on September 14, 1937, as the middle child and only son of Clyde and Ija LaFollette in Funks Grove, Illinois. Growing up in Heyworth, Illinois on the farm, Marv was the typical boy. Fishing in the creek, frog hunting, feeding the critters and milking the cow. Tying firecrackers on the cat’s tail, chasing the chickens, and picking on his sisters, Donna, and Phyllis.

Marv attended Heyworth High School, where he lettered in football, basketball, track, and baseball. In the fall of 1953, he met his "Pretty Lady", Nancy Lou Fitzgerald, the cute little freshman from Shirley.

Never apart from that day, they were married on June 22, 1957, just days after Nancy's high school graduation. Their daughter, Kathy was born in September 1958 and son Thomas in July 1961, and Marv, along with his dad, built their first home, right across the street from the football field.

Marv started working for State Farm Insurance Company right out of high school. In 1963, a job transfer allowed the family to move to the wild, wild west of Greeley, Colorado.

Never west of the Mississippi, they loved the mountains, camping and fishing. Marv and Nancy loved to play golf, spending many hours with their close friends on the courses all over Colorado as well as around the country. He never met a slot machine he didn't win on, loved to scratch those tickets, play pickles, throw the bowling ball, and tackle a good jigsaw puzzle. He would watch the Broncos (in the other room), cheer for the Rockies (even when they didn't win) and watch college football. 

Marv retired from State Farm in 1998, after 43 years of service, which allowed he and Nancy to travel more. Marv would go have "coffee with the cronies" at MacDonalds, and spring surprise trips up the hill on Nancy at the drop of a hat. When Nancy passed away in 2018, a huge part of him went with her.

He loved his kids, grandkids, great-grand kids, and great-great granddaughters, they brought him such joy. Dad, Daddy, Pops, Grandpa, PaPaw, Uncle Corky, he answered to them all with a smile and a twinkle that we will all miss so!

Marv is survived by his daughter, Kathy Lynn (Rob); son, Thomas Michael; grandchildren, Corin (James), Breanne (Brad), JJ (Nichole); great grandchildren, Savannah, Robert (Demarie), Delaney Jo, Braylon, Brex and Kayla; 3 great great granddaughters, Natalie, Megan, and Julia. Our family would also like to thank the Bridge Family for the wonderful care they provided our loved one while he resided there. He was met at the gates by his "Pretty Lady" Nancy, and they are finally together again.

Marvin's life will be celebrated with an Open House and Lunch on Wednesday, October 12^th from 11:00-1:00 at the Greeley Elks, where Marv was a Lifetime member. We will honor his love of the Elks and the lifetime friends he has made there. Please stop by to share stories, laugh, cry, and help us remember the wonderful, kind loving man he was.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Greeley Elks Lodge #809 in care of Adamson Life Celebration Home; 2000 W 47^th Avenue, Greeley, CO.