Marvin Burrows
March 30, 1923 ~ September 6, 2012
Marvin J. Burrows, 89, of Highmore, died Thursday, September 6, 2012 at St. Mary’s Healthcare in Pierre.
Funeral services were held at 7:00 p.m., Sunday, September 9, 2012 at Luze Funeral Home, Highmore with Pastor Max Kelley officiating. Visitation was 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Sunday at the funeral home. Burial was held at 2:00 p.m. MDT, Monday, September 10, 2012 at Black Hills National Cemetery, Sturgis with military honors.
Marvin James Burrows was born March 30, 1923, the second son of James and Myrtle (Elyea) Burrows in Highmore, SD. He lived on the family farm with his parents, three brothers and sister until 1932 when they moved into Highmore. He attended Highmore schools through the 8th grade and worked for many area farmers and ranchers.
Marvin enlisted in the Army on January 22, 1943 in Fort Snelling, MN. He completed basic training at Camp Edwards, MA, receiving his Rifle Marksman Badge and then attended Signal Corps School for Wire and Lineman Training at Fort Monmouth, NJ. PFC Burrows was part of the 3016th Engineer Maintenance Company shipping out of New York in 1944. He built pontoon bridges in the Pacific from New Guinea to Yokohama, Japan. Marvin received his first honorable discharge on January 5, 1946. He returned to civilian life and worked as a sales clerk at Connie Newton’s grocery. People were amazed at how he wrote with his left hand, turning the paper almost upside down.
In 1948, Marvin enlisted with the US Army Reserves and in 1950 was approached by an Army recruiter to re-enlist, reporting to the 590th Signal Construction Corp in Fort Lewis, WA. He spent 11 months in Korea during the Korean Conflict. He received his second honorable discharge on July 16, 1952. He was decorated with the Phillippine Liberation Ribbon with one Star and Good Conduct Medal from WW11 and received the Korean Service Medal with three Bronze Stars. He served nearly nine years of honest and faithful service to our country.
After his second discharge, Marvin, more commonly known as “Mose”, helped many farmers and ranchers in the area, especially during haying season. He worked for a period of time at the Highmore Sale barn.
Mose was a life-long Highmore and on May 18, 2006 began making his home at Highmore Health, where he lived until his death.
Mose’s favorite pastimes included playing cards and pool, both at the Senior Center and former Highmore Pool Hall. Many people will remember him as being a jokester, wearing his cap crooked on his head and making a gesture with his finger over his nose.
He was a 22-year consecutive member of the Frank Vopat Post #35 of the American Legion, and a member of the Highmore Senior Center. Two of his most memorable awards were the Freedom Fighter Award given in 1999 and being chosen King of Old Settler’s Day in 2005.
He is survived by his brother, John Burrows of Pierre, SD and many nieces and nephews.
Marvin was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Charles and Clyde; and his sister, Arleen Warner.
Luze Funeral Home of Highmore has been entrusted with Marvin’s arrangements.
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Dear John and family,
I was so sorry to hear of Mose’s passing. I remember Mose coming into Aunt Myrtle’s apartment in Highmore when I was very young. I gave him the nickname of “toothpick”, because he always had a toothpick in his mouth when I saw him. Years later, my sisters and I stopped at the Highmore Health Care to see Mose. I was very surprised he remembered me, but then again, his memory was excellent. Mose will be missed. My condolences to your family.
Cousin, Joyce Elyea Owen