RED LODGE - Marvin Kivikangas, 71, of Red Lodge, passed away Tuesday afternoon, July 28, 2009, at Beartooth Hospital & Health Center.

Marvin was born on March 19, 1938, at Roberts, the son of John and Ila Kivikangas. He was raised on the family farm on the Fox Bench, and remained there until he and his mother moved to Red Lodge in 1967.

On Sept. 15, 1972, Marvin began working for the City of Red Lodge Public Works Department, and retired from that position in 2000 after 28 years of service. Marvin's duties in the summer consisted primarily of being caretaker at the Red Lodge Cemetery, or "Marvin's Gardens," as it was known to many. Marvin also took pride in performing cemetery equipment set-ups for burials in several area cemeteries for nearly three decades.

In earlier years, Marvin enjoyed snowmobiling and hunting, and he was a former member of the Elks and Eagles Lodges. Marvin had a kind heart and a gentle spirit, and he will be greatly missed by his family and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Verna Seikkula; and his nephew, Benny Prinkki.

Survivors include his niece, Marcella Prinkki of Billings; a grandnephew, Michael Mogen and his family of Redding, Calif.; and a grandniece, Pamela Knight and her family of Ponca City, Okla.

Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 10, at Smith-Olcott Funeral Chapel. Interment will follow in the Red Lodge Cemetery. Cremation has taken place.

Memorials may be given to the Knights of Kaleva Lodge, c/o Martin Mikkola, 1215 Fifth Ave., Laurel, MT 59044; or to Beartooth Hospice & Home Care, Box 590, Red Lodge, MT 59068.