Marvis I. Bell

Marvis I. Bell, age 89, of Brookings, S.D., formerly of Watertown, passed away Sunday, March 22, 2026, at a care facility in Brookings.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Marvis and her husband, Verdie, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church in Watertown, with Father John Fischer being the celebrant.

Visitation for the couple will be from 5-7 p.m. Monday, March 23, 2026, at Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown.

Burial will take place at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Watertown.

Marvis was born as the only daughter among five brothers, a role that made her especially cherished by her father, who was so proud of her that he carried her around on a pillow. She attended General Beadle Teachers College, where she studied bookkeeping, and later worked at Midland Finance Company.

On November 3, 1957, she was united in marriage to Verdie Bell in Watertown. Together, they managed Scott’s Motel for several years. After raising her daughters to school age, Marvis began working in the lunchroom at Watertown Junior High. She later became a familiar and beloved presence at Lincoln Grade School, where she managed the lunchroom and enjoyed connecting with generations of children.

Following retirement, Marvis and Verdie embraced life together through line dancing and traveling with their grandchildren. Her greatest joy was always family. She treasured time spent together—whether playing countless games of Uno on the living room floor, baking what many considered the world’s best apple pie, or reading endlessly to her daughters and grandchildren.

For Marvis, the true magic of the holidays was never found in the date on the calendar, but in the headcount around her table. She firmly believed that family belonged together, a philosophy that manifested in the annual ritual of hauling extra tables up from the basement to ensure that every guest had a seat in the heart of the action. Nothing was left to chance; Marvis was the master of the "master list," keeping meticulous notes and legal pads filled with menus and reminders to ensure that no detail was overlooked and no one’s favorite dish was forgotten. Her preparation was her love language, and her greatest joy was looking across a crowded room to see the people she loved most sharing a meal at one long, laughter-filled table.

Marvis was actively involved in her church and community. She was a member of the B.P.O. Fraternal Order of Eagles Auxiliary, volunteered at the hospital, and contributed to Grace Lutheran Nordfest.

Grateful for having shared her life are her two daughters, JoAnn (Thomas) Foppe of Jamestown, Illinois, and Karen Bell of Watertown, South Dakota; her brother, Dr. Ken (Emelia) Winjum; and her beloved grandchildren, Thomas Foppe, Ben (Holly) Foppe, Gabe (Emily) Foppe, Grant (Jennifer) Foppe, Claire Foppe (Alex Yanosko), Courtney (Wyatt) Nash-Keller, Paige (Jack) Schwaegerl, Nolan (Tatum) Sonnenburg, and Jack Sonnenburg. She is also survived by her great-grandchildren, Bennett, Baker, and Lila Nash-Keller; Winnie and Rayleigh Sonnenburg; and JoLia Foppe.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Verdie Bell, who passed away just three days before her; her father, Martin Winjum; her mother, Ida (Malm) Winjum Tarum; and her brothers, Dr. Robert (Helen) Winjum, Dr. Francis (Anne) Winjum, Melvin (Elizabeth) Winjum, and John (Lois) Winjum.

Arrangements are by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel, Watertown.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Marvis I. Bell, please visit our floral store.