Marvin was born on May 22, 1938, in Bern, Idaho to Robert and Nellie Schmid. He was the 10th child in a family of 11. His father emigrated from Switzerland and raised Marvin and his siblings in the small community of many Swiss immigrants. He attended grade school in the local two-room schoolhouse of Bern.
Growing up Marvin learned quickly that there were always chores to do. From curing and smoking meats with his dad, to tending the fields, and repairs and maintenance on the family property. He learned to be good with his hands at a very early age. He would often trade his sisters’ housework chores in favor of ones that got him outside, but somehow never finding anyone to trade him the honey-bucket duty.
From his youth, Marvin had a keen interest in athletics. He participated in football, baseball, basketball, as well as track and field. He served as Vice President of the Lettermen Club supporting athletics at Montpelier High school. In later years, he fostered these interests by coaching softball and held season tickets to the Utah Jazz for many years.
After graduating from Montpelier High School, he worked at Central Farmers on construction projects up Georgetown canyon and around the Bear Lake valley,
His military service in the United States Marine Corps began with boot camp followed by radar school in San Diego CA. He had yearlong assignments in aircraft control; one in Japan and the second back in California. He then spent an additional 4 years in the reserves.
In the spring of 1957 while studying at Utah State University he first met the “girl with the beautiful black eyes”. A few short years later he married Jessie Pauline Hansen of Park City on October 5, 1963 in a civil ceremony in the home of Marvin’s sister, Zenna Mae, and brother-in-law, Eugene Bridges, in Salt Lake City, Utah. They were later sealed in the Salt Lake Temple, October 5, 1967.
Marvin continued to work with his hands not just to follow the council of self-reliance, but he loved to make things work, grow, and flourish. He a built a motorboat with his brother-in-law Eugene in the garage of their home. It was not a restoration or upgrade, but built layer by layer of fiberglass, resin and epoxy over and over in the boat molds to create the very shell which when hardened and released was then outfitted with wiring, electronics, and nautical rigging to make the craft water worthy. The fruits of their labors resulted in many sunburnt summers when Jessie would often have to send a sandwich and treats down to the beach so he could take the next passengers or water-skiers on “one last run”.
Marvin was a determined gardener. Whether in his own yard, or with his brother David on a two-acre plot in Tooele, he loved to grow potatoes, vegetables, fruits and berries to can, preserve, or to be enjoy there in the sun with his pocketknife. Marvin even built his own food dehydrator to prolong the harvest with dried cherries, apricots, miles of fruit leather, and bushels of dried corn. Marvin also maintained abundant peony border that with careful planning and some cool-of-the-early-morning harvesting would preserve the blooms till they could decorate the graves of many family and friends.
Marvin loved machines and engines. No automotive repair seemed beyond his skill. He reveled in time spent working on cars, motorhomes, and his beloved John Deere. Often with Jessie’s urging to leave the more complicated tasks to trained mechanics.
Marvin created many welding projects like a fireplace insert to keep that family warm, which caused heavy naps, usually during family home evenings. Perhaps that is why he made his children toe the line each year to make sure the woodpile was large enough and stacked properly. He also built the swing set and a merry-go-round in the backyard where children and grandchildren have spent many delightful, if occasionally nauseous hours.
Marvin enjoyed cooking; Grinding wheat, mixing, kneading and baking countless loaves of bread for his family and neighbors. Dutch oven dinners at home, in the canyons, or on the beach, slow cooked to make us all drool hours before mealtime. In addition, he made soups, stews, and chili, each better than the last. He even branched out to own/manage Lotsa Motsa Pizza in Delta, Utah for many years. He loved to create different pizza menus items for the many loyal local and traveling customers.
In all areas of Marvin’s life be it work, church service and family life he lead each with the same kindness, generosity, and love for those around him. Marvin worked hard to support his growing family, which he considered his main purpose here on earth. As a young father he worked with Western States Fencing and dug countless post holes and laying miles of fencing. Later he had a 30 plus year career with First Security Bank, where he held many different management titles, but the most remembered one is simply “Marv-elous”! It has been said that even people who didn’t work directly for him felt a connection because of the kind loving man he is. Also noted by many is Marvin’s mischievous side. He loved to prank and tease those he loved and associated with. He loved a good joke and to laugh with coworkers, friends, and family
Church service gave Marvin more titles: Young men’s leader, bishop, high councilman, and ultimately missionary. Together, he and Jessie served in the Salt Lake Inner City Mission. The ferocity of their service was humbling to witness as collections of food, clothing, bedding, or whatever was needed to help families and individuals gain self-reliance moved through their home like a charity tsunami. Together they loved ministering.
A sentiment echoed by many from Marvin’s professional work, family members, and those serving with him in church callings is that “Loving him was an easy thing to do”. He was constantly taking individuals under his wing, to nurture, and encourage to bloom. The gentle and firm manner in which he conducted professional work, managed family affairs, and church service seemed to all be the same task to him. To love unconditionally, correct with firmness, and model and expect self-reliance and improvement. Of all Marvin’s accomplishments, achievements and activities, his true super-power was manifest when he would just sit, talk, and stare at you with those baby-blue eyes that let you know you were loved, loved by him, loved of our Savior, and loved of God, the father of us all.
In the early morning hours of February 22, 2023, Jessie had finished her heavenly honey-do list and Marvin was finally called home. He is preceded in death by his sweetheart Jessie Schmid; by his beloved Mama and Papa (Robert and Nellie), All 10 of his siblings, Anna Vigos, Robert (Bobby) Schmid, Alice Gortcinsky, Dorothy Gilgen, Zenna Mae Bridges, Julia Schmid, David Schmid, Ivins (Pinky) Schmid, Nellie Conra (Connie) Jensen, and Emma Lou Skinner, and three grandchildren, Clements Schmid, Elizabeth Schmid, and Brooks Butterfield. As well as numerous in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews.
He is survived by his children, Perry (Nancy), their children Ryan, Abigail and Alyssa; Susan (Travis) Smith, their children Atalee, Trevor, and Isabelle; Steven (Katherine), their children August (Megan), Eleanor, and Ian; and Colleen (Bret) Butterfield, their children Jessica, Rachel, and Kayci. As well as many in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Having so swiftly followed his sweetheart, Jessie, in passing the veil, and with the outpouring of flowers, card and condolences expressed then, may we now suggest that in lieu of flowers or plants that you council as families and groups and consider making a charitable donation to the organization of your choosing: or gather your family for a specific memory making activity or event, or consider a concentrated effort in service in your homes or communities. Do whatever you feel is best to honor the lives of both Marvin and Jessie.
The family would like to thank Legacy House of Taylorsville and Ability Home Health and Hospice, and all who visited and ministered to Marvin and Jessie throughout their lives and especially over their final months.
A funeral service was held March 4, 2023, at the Taylorsville Central Stake Building: 4950 South 1950 West, Taylorsville, Utah 84129.
Interment at Valley View Memorial Park: 4400 West 4100 South, West Valley City, Utah 84120