Marvin & Phyllis Whittaker

Marvin S. Whittaker, age 96, of Alexandria, died on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at Bethany on the Lake in Alexandria.

Phyllis M. Whittaker, age 95, of Alexandria, died on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at Alomere Health in Alexandria.

A memorial service for Marvin and Phyllis will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, August 1, 2025, at the Alexandria Covenant Church with Rev. Trinity Opp officiating. Interment will take place at a later date at First Lutheran Church Cemetery in Rush City.

Visitation is one hour prior to the service at the church.

Marvin Sanford Whittaker was born on June 23, 1929, to James and Laura (Sanford) Whittaker in Minneapolis. He attended elementary school in Minneapolis and graduated from Rush City High School in 1948. During his junior year of high school, Marvin attended a Youth for Christ rally in Minneapolis where, on January 1, 1947, he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Following graduation, he briefly attended Bethel College in St. Paul, then continued his education in night school at the Minnesota School of Business and later through the University of Minnesota.

Phyllis Margaret was born on July 8, 1930, to Lester and Jessie (Clough) Slack in Austin. She was baptized in Stanchfield and accepted the Lord into her life in 1947. Phyllis attended school in Austin and graduated from Rush City High School, with Marvin, in 1948.

Marvin and Phyllis were united in marriage on June 30, 1950, at Rush City Baptist Church. In their early years together, they lived in Cambridge, where both Marvin and Phyllis worked at the State Hospital. They moved to Spring Lake Park where Marvin briefly worked for Honeywell. They then returned to Rush City, briefly farming before taking over Rush City Frozen Foods and eventually running Marv’s Meats. During this time, Phyllis worked as a CNA at Rush City Hospital for 12 years. Marvin continued to build his career in meat cutting and management, which led the family to relocate to Alexandria, where he served as the meat manager for Holiday Foods until his retirement in 1995. Phyllis continued her healthcare work in Alexandria, spending 12 years at Douglas County Hospital as a CNA and in Central Supply on the Operating Room side, where she scrubbed surgical instruments until her retirement in 1995.

Together in retirement, Marvin and Phyllis devoted 12 winters to service with Wycliffe Bible Translators and Wycliffe Associates in Dallas, Texas. Marvin helped in the woodshop, crafting furniture, cabinets, while Phyllis helped in the boutique and baked cookies for volunteers on break.

They were faithful members of several churches throughout their lives including Rush City Baptist Church, Galilee Baptist in Circle Pines, First Baptist in Spring Lake Park, and First Baptist Church in Alexandria. They were currently members of the Alexandria Covenant Church. Marvin's favorite verse, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8), reflected the steady devotion with which both he and Phyllis lived their lives.

Marvin and Phyllis delighted in using their hands, serving others, and spending time with family. Marvin woodworking, making model cars and trucks and Phyllis with her knitting and baking—especially her cookies. He also achieved a goal in his life of earning his pilot’s license and owning and flying his plane. They lived a quiet, faithful life, rooted in love for God and one another.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and sister-in-law Ellie Whittaker.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Marvin; brother, Kenneth (Janice) Slack; and sisters, Kathryn (Dale) George and Eleanor (Deane) Thompson.

Marvin and Phyllis were blessed with 75 years of marriage and were reunited with the Lord together on July 15, 2025, just hours apart. They are survived by their four children, Nancy (Kevin) Holm of Minneapolis, Ron (Jill) Whittaker of Rush City, Bob (Kelly) Whittaker of Sun City, Arizona, and Teri (Charlie) Gilchrist of Alexandria; seven grandchildren, Amy (Corey) Perell, Anny (Paul) Jarvis, Justin (Hannah) Whittaker, Sarah (Josh) Williams, Brandon (Steph) Whittaker, Randi (Ramesh) Jacob, and Sharanda (Will) Federline; 14 great-grandchildren; Marvin’s brothers, Rollie Whittaker and James “Jim” (Carolyn) Whittaker; along with many nieces and nephews.

Urnbearers will be their four children.