Marvina H Gold

Marvina Heroldine Gold was the second child of 6 born to Nina Mae Schroeder Merrill and Marvin Herold Merrill on July 17, 1929. She was born in her family home near Johnson, Kansas.

Marvina was a happy child who thrived at school and loved her teachers. Marvina could be ornery and occasionally found herself in the cloak room. This was not a problem for her where as she could read the encyclopedias stored there. Her teacher decided that this was not punishment so she sent her to work in the kitchen preparing meals for the other students. Again, Marvina did not mind this punishment either.

Marvina loved to play baseball on the playground and quickly became a homerun sensation earning the title of Dizzy Deanie. This was later shortened affectionately to Dizz. She also loved to slide down the metal slide with wax paper. One day her teacher decided to try this out because it looked so fun! The kids tried to talk her out of it but she did it anyway. She flew off the slide and broke her high heel. Marvina said that she had to walk around crooked the rest of the day, but her teacher said that it was worth it.

Marvina told many stories of the dust bowl and the depression. She told stories about walking home from school in dirt storms so thick that they had to hold on to the fence so they would not get lost. She and her family were very good at getting by, on very little.

Marvina went to high school in Johnson, Kansas, and shortly after she met a young man by the name of Gene Gold. He had been drafted to the Navy and had been granted leave. After hitchhiking all the way home from Boston, Massachusetts, his family had planned a surprise visit with his friends and family. Marvina was one of these friends. After this meeting they began writing to each other while he was in the service. This friendship blossomed into a romance. On Christmas Eve 1948 they were married.

The first years of Gene and Marvina's marriage were spent in Kansas where Gene was employed by Charlie Winger northeast of Johnson, Kansas. Their son, Gene Deverle was born November 27, 1949. The family moved to Gardena, California, in May of 1950, where they made their home for nearly twelve years. Gene attended National Schools in Los Angeles under the GI Bill , learning diesel, automotive, and allied mechanics. There were many fond memories from these years in California, they also made many friends that Marvina continued to write to for many years to come.

The family finally returned to Baca County in April of 1962 where their twelve-year-old son grew to manhood on the farm. It was a real joy for the family to return to the peace of country living. Marvina’s son Deverle graduated from Springfield High School in 1968 and Lamar Junior College in 1971. Gene wanted to make sure Deverle had a good start in farming and he included him in the family farming operation. Marvina worked at the grocery store. Marvina was very smart with numbers so she also did books occasionally. Marvina also made all of her own clothes and many of her family’s clothes as well.

Marvina loved baking and making candy and she soon was asked to start candy classes to teach others her technique. These classes became very popular and she traveled to many different counties teaching her skills. She had a special way of making candy that gave so many of her students joy. She loved to share this talent with others.

Marvina was a caring soul and was an amazing caregiver. She took care of both her husband and her son when they got sick. She also cared for Jamie McEndree when she had to be on bedrest during her pregnancy with Amanda. She took care of Randy and cooked and cleaned for the family to get them through. She had many friends and neighbors that became her chosen family and loved her very much.

Marvina made many friends throughout her community. She was a part of her local Hospice and served on the board for many years. She also was a member of the S and C club and her local Cattlewomen’s Association. Marvina also shared her property with many hunters throughout the years. Hunting was a passion that her son Deverle enjoyed and she wanted to keep that tradition going. She made so many new friends that came to love her through these experiences.

Marvina is preceded in death by her Husband Gene; son Deverle; sister Betty Nickell; sister Zellamaye Burkenbine; brother Marvin Herald Merrill, Jr.; brother Harvey Merrill; Marvina is survived by her sister Maribeth (Ed) Towns of Alva, Oklahoma, Sister-in-law Sue Merrill of Liberal, Kansas; and Brother-in-law Gerald Nickell of Johnson, Kansas, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

She is also survived by good friends Race & Janet Chenoweth and family and Steve and Jamie McEndree and family. Marvina and Gene considered JD Chenoweth, Amanda (McEndree) Saunders, and Randy McEndree as their grandchildren, creating many wonderful memories and experiences as the perfect quintessential grandparents.  Their children Ryker Wayne Chenoweth, Mika Ann Saunders, Ayzlin Jo Saunders, Declan James DeVerle Saunders, Ronin Darryl Saunders, and James Daniel McEndree became Marvina and Gene's great grandchildren.

Marvina will be sorely missed by her family, her chosen family, and her friends.