Marvin Schweitzer

Marvin Peter Schweitzer, 75, passed away Tuesday, April 16, 2019, at his home in Troy, Montana.

He was survived by his daughter Suzanne Streeter and granddaughters Carly and Kayla Streeter.

Marvin, son of Anton and Elizabeth Schweitzer, was born on Sept. 7, 1942, in Havre, Montana. He was the ninth of 12 children, raised on the family farm in Rudyard. The family later moved to Higham, Montana, where they ran the local store. Marvin graduated Hingham High School in 1961 with seven classmates who still regularly get together. Marvin attended Northern Montana College and graduated with a BS in Elementary Education. His teaching career started in Browning, Montana, in 1964. He spent time at one-room school on the Canadian border and many years at Hingham schools. He retired from teaching in 1993, thus ending a 32-year career, in Troy, Montana.

He spent most of his teaching career as a junior high math teacher and basketball coach. However, upon his move to Troy in 1975, he added the positions of bus driver, tutor, painter and athletic director to his educational resume. To this day, his former players remember how much he cared for every player.

While in college, Marvin spotted a striking cheerleader by the name of Beth Maness. With a little encouragement from friends, he called and asked her to a movie. That was the beginning of a 50-year love story. They married on June 12, 1963, in Libby, Montana, and the adventures began. Their happiest moments were fishing together, dancing together, and entertaining any and all who visited their home, as well as the cabin on Savage Lake. Marvin and Beth were 26-year Griz football season ticket holders, and a part of the fanatic “North End Zone” crew. Each year they looked forward to fall days sharing “Troy water.”

In the Troy community, Marvin was an active member of the Troy Volunteer Fire Department for 40 years. He cherished every moment with the TVFD and felt honored to be the treasurer for 36 years. He kept every receipt. His other community involvements included: “Coffee Hour” at the Spur, hunting, fishing, bowling, golfing and participating in the community softball league.

Preceding Marvin in death was his wife Beth; his parents; brothers Lawrence, Joe, Willy, Leander and Edward; and a sister Leona.

Marvin is deeply loved by daughter Suzanne and was an amazing Papa to his granddaughters Carly and Kayla Streeter. He is survived by his siblings Helen McCann, Beverly Smith, Richard Schweitzer, Don (Dodie) Schweitzer and Randy (Brenda) Schweitzer; brother-in-law Rich (Jan) Maness; and the many, many nieces and nephews.

Graveside services will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, June 29, at Milnor Lake Cemetery, followed by a celebration of life at the Troy Volunteer Fire station. Memorials can be made to the Troy Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 490, Troy, MT 59935, and to WINGS Cancer Support, P.O. Box 7852 Kalispell, MT 59904. Arrangements are by Schnackenberg Funeral Home in Libby. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.schnackenbergfh.com.