Asleep in Jesus, Sunday, February 10, 2019.
Beloved husband of Deloris Korte (nee Helfrich); loving father of Don (Cathy), Dale (Marilyn), and Brian (Gail) Korte; adoring grandpa of Eileen, Alison and Barbara Korte, Jill (Bryant) Polzin, Amanda (Andy) Hebden, Denise (Ryan) Kahle, and Melissa (Danny) Wessel; cherished great-grandpa of Cody, Chloe, Lilly, Lexi, Jackson, Addy, Rainey, Olivia, Mia, Luke and Hank; dear brother of the late Erwin (surviving Alyce) and Audrey Korte. Our dearest uncle, great-uncle, great-great-uncle, cousin and friend to many.
Marvin was born in St. Louis, attended Roosevelt High School and later Washington University. He was married to Dee for over 70 years and they welcomed three sons, seven granddaughters, and eleven great-grandchildren into their family. As a salesman for Brightman Distributing, he traveled throughout Missouri and Illinois eventually becoming VP of Sales. After retirement Marvin vowed never to wear neckties again (bolo ties were acceptable). He enjoyed golf, fishing, playing cards and weekend getaways to Terre Du Lac. Travel destinations included Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico, Nova Scotia, the Bahamas and Germany. Dee and Marvin found a wonderful church family at Gethsemane Lutheran Church.
In the U. S. Army, Pfc. Korte was an Infantry Mortarman, 84th Inf Divison, 334th Btn, Co. H., during World War II. He fought in a fierce battle at the Ruhr River and then joined the Battle of the Bulge. During aggressive fighting, in the extreme cold, he persevered until he was wounded on March 4, 1945 and evacuated. Marvin was awarded medals of honor for his service, including the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. A dedicated member of the St. Louis Gateway Chapter of the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge, he attended various reunions over the years, served as Treasurer and participated in the educational mission of the Chapter. Sharing from personal experience, he taught school children, as well as other groups, about WWII, the Battle of the Bulge, and about the service and sacrifices made by so many to preserve the freedoms we continue to enjoy today. Marvin and other Gateway Chapter members were treated to an Honor Flight to Washington D.C. in 2007 where they visited various National Monuments and Memorials. Everywhere they went, they were greeted with cheers. It was a long, emotional, but gratifying day.
As a son, brother, husband, father, grandpa, great-grandpa, uncle, great-uncle, great-great-uncle, cousin, and friend – throughout his 93+ years, Marvin created a legacy of love.
Services: Visitation at Kutis Affton Chapel, 10151 Gravois, on Wednesday, February 13, from 2-8 p.m. Then at Gethsemane Lutheran Church, 765 Lemay Ferry Rd., 63125, on Thursday from 9 a.m. until service time at 10:15 a.m. Interment at J. B. National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers contributions to Gethsemane Lutheran Church appreciated.