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MARVIN "JOE" BIRGE Marvin Joe Birge was born on May 1, 1951, in Anadarko, Oklahoma, to Arles and Orada (McLemore) Birge. Joe was the third of four siblings: George L. Birge, Dorothy A. Sowell and Barbara J. Coe. Accepting Christ as his savior, Joe was baptized at the age of 11, through the Oakdale Baptist Church near Swan Lake. Joe grew up in Caddo County, OK, on a farm raising peanuts with his family and as a local farm hand throughout school. At a young age Joe was known by his siblings to be very ornery, picking on kids older and twice his size. Helping keep him out of trouble, his father Arles taught Joe how to fish, and this lesson would feed Joe and his future family for a lifetime. Although grasping a knack for fishing and hunting at a young age, his hard work ethic carried him throughout his life. In 1969, he graduated from Oney High School in Albert, OK, and enlisted in the United States Navy. After serving our country in the Amphibious Construction Battalion, he was honorably discharged from the US Navy on July 24, 1975. After his time from the US Navy, he was traveling with Uncle Robert (Bob) McLemore to Benkelman, NE, to a horse auction selling (3) horses. He found a pretty lady named Mary and convinced her into showing the horses in the auction; marrying the pretty lady about 18 months later. Joe and Mary planted their roots in Benkelman and raised their two children, Sabrina and Dusty. Working in Benkelman for over 37 years, Joe retired in 2010 and became a full-time fisherman, hunter, poultry rancher and enjoyed gardening vegetables to share with friends. Joe’s family and friends note him as an honorable man and an exceptional husband and father. Joe passed away on Wednesday, February 26, 2014, at the Great Plains Regional Center in North Platte, Nebraska. He was 62 years of age. Joe was preceded in death by his parents Arles and Orada. Survivors include: Wife Mary of Benkelman, NE. Daughter: Sabrina Birge of Nashville, TN. Son: Dusty Birge and fiancée Shayla Frost, of Denver, CO. Brother: George L. Birge of Stigler, OK. Sister: Dorothy A. Sowell of Hinton, OK. Sister: Barbara J. Coe and husband Brad of El Reno, OK. His family has included fifteen aunts/uncles and fifty-three first cousins, and numerous relative and friends. Funeral Services for Joe will be held Monday morning, March 3, 2014, 10:30 a.m. (MT) at the Benkelman Community Building, Benkelman, Nebraska, with Richard Bartholomew officiating. Interment will follow at the Benkelman Cemetery. As per Joe’s wishes there will be no public visitation. A memorial has been established to the American Cancer Society and the Gift of Hope Program of North Platte, Nebraska. On line condolences may be left at liewerfuneralhome.com BENKELMAN MEMORIAL CHAPEL IN CHARGE OF ARRANGEMENTS

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Joe Birge

May 1, 1951 - February 26, 2014