Funeral services for Marvin Lee Hickey, 56, of Gregory were held on Wednesday, February 23, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at the Berean Fundamental Church in Gregory with Pastor Scott McClellen officiating. There was a visitation at Kotrba Funeral Home on Tuesday evening from 7 to 9 p.m.
Music was provided by Amy Knudsen, bassoonist, playing "Amazing Grace." Geoff Smith, vocalist, sang "On Eagles Wings" and "One Day at a Time" accompanied by Janeen Hlavka, pianist. Congregational hymn was "The Old Rugged Cross."
Miranda Smith was in charge of registration. Flower attendants were Marlene Rezac and Penny Rezac.
Casket bearers were Eric Nelson, Ivan Nelson, John Knight, Glenn Atteberry, Rod Schuiling, and Dave Keiser.
Honorary Pallbearers were all of Marv's fishing and hunting buddies and all who touched his life in a special way.
Interment was in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Gregory, SD.
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Marvin Lee Hickey was born April 19, 1954 in Winner, SD. Marv was the second of four children born to Claude and Ilene (Konop) Hickey. Marvin began his love for the outdoors early in his life. Grandpa Charlie Konop taught Marvin how to fish and hunt. Hunting is a love he nurtured all his life. Marvin attended the Iona school through the eighth grade and then attended Gregory High School graduating in 1972. While in high school, he participated in track and football. It was in high school that Marvin started to work on cars and develop his mechanic skills.
On December 31, 1971 Marv married Kathy Layh. Marv worked for Prairie Farms until the fall of 1973.Then he started for Tilton Motor's as an on the job trainee. Marv worked for Tilton's until the spring of 1976. In May 1972 Marv's first daughter Amy was born. He and Kathy later divorced and Marv moved to Bassett, NE were he again worked for Prairie Farms running a Big A. In 1976 he began working for Coash Inc, a fertilizer plant. In 1976 he met and married Judy Theisen. Marv transferred to Bartlett, NE and he worked as plant-shop foreman for several years. They later moved to Winner, SD where Marv worked at the Car Care Center. Marv's second daughter Steffey was born in Winner in December 1983. It was at this time they moved to Gregory where Marv worked at Mr. Automotive. In December of 1997 he was diagnosed with stage four throat cancer. Marv and Judy later divorced.
Even though the cancer required a very invasive surgery and 33 radiation treatments, it was Marv's attitude that helped him to heal. Marv never accepted that the cancer would beat him. He decided not to give in and he kept moving forward. Hunting became an even more important part of Marv's life after his diagnosis. Marv started guiding for Eddie Shaffer and later for Dave Keiser and developed many special friends in the hunters that he guided for.
One of Marv's greatest joys was his granddaughters. He was also fond of his nieces and nephews. Marv was a caring person that would help anyone he could. Other joys in Marv's life were his dogs over the years. His last dog Dinky died last year and Marv felt that loss greatly. He liked NASCAR racing especially following Jeff Gordon. He also enjoyed cooking the wild game he hunted for his family and friends on the Fourth of July. A highlight of Marv's year was his annual trip to Madison, Wisconsin for the gun show.
Marvin died unexpectedly at his home in Gregory on February 19, 2011 at the age of 56.
He is survived by his two daughters Amy Knudsen and husband Erik of Lenexa, KS; Steffey Jensen and husband Aaron of Sioux Falls, SD; three granddaughters Annika & Emily Knudsen, and Ashlynn Jensen. He is also survived by his parents Claude and Ilene Hickey of Burke, SD; three sisters, Claudia Smith and husband Glenn of Treynor, IA, Darla Viereck of Aberdeen, SD, and Karen McIntosh and husband Marvin of Iona,SD and by many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
He is preceded in death by his grandparents.
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