Marva Bray

Marva June Bray passed away peacefully at her home with her husband at her side on September 21, 2011. She was born on June 5, 1937 in Kemmerer, Wyoming, to parents George and Margaret Haddenham. Her parents were pioneers in founding Wyoming. Marva lived happily in Wyoming where she then met while visiting Fort Collins, CO with her friend her future husband. Lee Bray, born in South Dakota, grew up in Minnesota, and served in the Air Force when he and Marva met. On August 4, 2011, Marva and Lee celebrated their 55th Wedding Anniversary. They had an immediate connection, which lasted their entire marriage.

Lee and Marva married in Laramie, and lived in Cheyenne, WY and then later Amarillo, TX. After Lee's service in the Air Force, Lee and Marva moved to Minnesota, where they raised their three sons. Marva lived life with great passion, love and energy. She loved being a homemaker, nurse and working with children. No matter how difficult life could be at times, she kept a positive and optimistic outlook. She never spoke ill of others, but only defended those that she knew and cared for.

She had break through open-heart surgery at the University of Minnesota in 1976, and lived many years beyond what doctors felt would be possible. Working with children, she won excellence in daycare awards, and thrived in her years as a nurse providing exemplary care to her patients. Everyone who met Marva would acclaim her energetic and positive, loving personality. She loved God, and glorified Him in all that she did. She lived a full and active life, loving fishing, hunting, biking, riding snowmobiles, baking (renowned for her pies, pancakes and fruit bread), geology and doting over her grandchildren.

She would always put others first, and herself last.

Marva is survived by her husband Lee, children; Ronald Bray (Stacy), Lee "Andy" Bray Jr. (Brenda), Mark Bray; grandchildren, Crystal Bray, Shelby Bray, Daniel Tharp, Brandon Tharp, Carlie Bray, Holly Bray, Matt Bray; sisters: Gloria Thomson of Laramie, Wyoming. Dana (Buddy) Wells of Soda Springs, Idaho; brothers: Don (Carolyn) Haddenham and Robert "Bob" Haddenham, both of Rock Springs, Wyoming. Marva also leaves behind several favorite nieces and nephews that she loved and sent cards honoring birthdays and other major family events.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and brothers Jim, Bryce and Tommy Haddenham.

Services will be 11:30 am on Tuesday, September 27 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Hackensack. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the church.