Marvin "Dewey" Fingalson

Marvin D. “Dewey” Fingalson, passed away on October 15, 2022, at the age of 79 at Diamond Willow under the care of Hospice. Dewey was a caring son, a good brother and will always be the “Friendly Buffalo” to his niece.

Dewey was born to Alfred “Alf” and Mary Fingalson on January 23, 1943, in Detroit Lakes, MN where he lived his entire life.  During high school he started working at “Fingalson Super Service”; the local Mobil Station owned by his dad, and his uncle Art. He later spent 32 years as the custodian at First Lutheran Church in Detroit Lakes where he made many friends, and from where he retired.

The simplest pleasures in life brought great joy to Dewey, such as the many years spent on the Fingalson Farm. He enjoyed his mother’s baked treats with a fresh cup of coffee, walking through the pasture, or puttering in the milk house with his father. His niece, Robin, came from Canada and spent every summer on the farm with Grandma, Grandpa and her uncle Dewey. He always made time to take Robin to the Water Carnival, horseback riding at the Soo Pass Ranch, and bowling at Voyageur Lanes. His sister Barb and brother-in-law Bob visited the farm every year and have fond memories of drinking coffee on the lawn and watching the trains go by. Alf, Mary and Dewey were so close that when Robin was young and met grandparents of other people she would ask “but where is their Dewey?”. The Fingalson’s were truly an inseparable threesome who are now reunited in a better place.

Dewey is survived by his sister, Barbara (Bob) McGinley, niece Robin, her husband Robert, and his grand-niece, Elina, all from Canada.

The family would like to thank everyone that has helped Dewey over the past few years; Pastor Lauryl Ivers for her blessings, Bob Lindblad for being the ever present handyman and helper, Tom Klyve for his service and support, Attorney Nicole Tabbut for her work on his final wishes and care team, the staffs of Diamond Willow and Hospice for their love and caring, and all the friends and family who visited and comforted Dewey in his final months.

Memorials are preferred to the First Lutheran Church kitchen remodeling fund.