Marvin D. Stone

1931 - 2025

Marvin D. Stone

August 28, 1931 - December 23, 2025

Marvin D. Stone, 94 of Kearney passed away Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at Kinship Pointe Northridge in Kearney, NE.

Memorial services will be held 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at Kearney E-Free Church with Pastor Adrian Boykin officiating. Burial will be held at a later date at Looking Glass cemetery, 7 miles south of Newman Grove, NE.

Marvin Stone was born on August 28, 1931, to Maynard and Minnie (Miller) Stone of rural St. Edward, Nebraska. Growing up on a farm, he always had a love of learning, and he excelled in his one-room schoolhouse and then at Newman Grove High school, where he graduated at 16. He enjoyed a cozy upbringing with 3 brothers and cousins who were close. He enjoyed playing the piano and singing at his country church, Looking Glass United Methodist. At age 6, he contracted polio but survived after 10 trips to a doctor for treatment. He never expected to do much beyond farming, but after a cousin shared her positive experience at college, he decided to give it a try. He endured hardships to complete his degree (English and math education) at Wayne State college, having to stop school once to earn enough money to continue. During that time, he taught one year in a one-room school himself, beloved by his students.

He graduated from college in 1953 and was drafted into the army where he served primarily in Heidelburg, Germany at the end of the Korean war as a secretary to the lieutenant colonel because of his abilities in short-hand and typing 90 words per minute. He then returned to the United States and taught 2 years in Fenton, IA and then moved to David City, NE where he met his future wife, Lucille Happel.

He and Lucille were married on August 21, 1960, in Sterling, NE. He then pursued his masters in geography at UNL and eventually achieved his PhD in geography in 1978 from Kansas University. He also worked summers at Wind Cave National Park in South Dakota and Homestead National Monument in Beatrice and taught at Schuyler high school. During their time in Schuyler, Karen was born in 1961 and Lyndon in 1963. The couple moved to Kearney, where Marvin taught at then Kearney State College (later UNK) for 32 years. Christina was born in 1978.

Marvin had a humble servant heart and as well as other service organizations, he served as the Kearney State College philanthropy organization sponsor, worked with adult literacy and was the Evangelical Free church secretary and financial secretary for many years. Dr. Stone was loved by his students, and many called him their favorite professor. He retired in 1997. Karen, Lyndon and Christina cherish their father, who told them magnificent bedtime stories that he made up, played with them, took them fishing, taught them to work with cattle through 4-H and overall was the most caring, loving father that children could hope to have. He was an example of and instilled a deep Christian faith in his children. He loved his family and cared for them well. He and Lucille celebrated 65 years of marriage this August.

Marvin was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Merlin, Leon and Leland; sister-in-law, Pat Stone (Merlin); parents-in-law, Louis and Amelia Happel; brother-in-law, Donald Happel; and his grandson, Connor Stone.

He is survived by his wife, Lucille; children, Karen Fong (Scott) of Altoona IA, Lyndon Stone (Tina) of Ottawa, KS, and Christina Nelms (Tim) of Kearney; grandchildren, Meagan Hock (Adam) of Ankeny IA, Bailey Stone (special friend Kamron) of Highlands Ranch, CO, Matthew, and Lucas and Ezekiel Nelms of Kearney; great-grandchildren, Madison, George, Alexandra and Benedict Hock and Brantley Stone; sisters-in-law, Ruth and Patsy Stone, and Donna Happel, as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews and friends.

Memorials may be designated for Down syndrome research, Looking Glass church, Kearney Evangelical Free church or donor's choice. Condolences may be shared online at www.osrfh.com.

Services are entrusted to O'Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral and Cremation Services.