Marvin W. "Cork" Shaw

Marvin Wilfred “Cork” Shaw was born December 1, 1931, to Charles and Nora (Peterson) Shaw, on the family farm 6 miles southwest of Roseland, NE. He died at The Pines in Blue Hill, NE of natural causes on August 2, 2025, at the age of 93 with family at his side.

Private family graveside service will be held at a later date. Burial will be at Roseland Cemetery in Roseland. The family requests no memorials be sent. 

His moniker was born at a young age when he was caught standing on his grandmother’s table. She said to him, “You little Corker!” He was known by most as Cork from then on.

As a young boy, he developed a love for animals and was especially proud of his team of horses. He enjoyed helping his family work the farm, where he harvested the corn crop by hand.

He attended Mount Hope District 62 country school in Silver Lake Township through sixth grade and then attended Roseland High School where he graduated in 1949.

He married Bonita E. Betz on August 16, 1952, in Campbell, NE. She preceded him in death on August 16, 2017.

He was then called to serve America in the Korean War. During his service, he was severely burned in an explosion and spent 6 months recuperating in a Japanese hospital. He was awarded 4 wartime medals and was honorably discharged on January 30, 1954.

His first attempt at farming was unsuccessful, so they moved into town. He worked at the area elevators and later managed a feed mill. He started raising pigs on the nights and weekends for extra money.

In the late 1960s, he was given the opportunity to purchase a farm south of Roseland where they made their permanent residence. With his continued good timing and willingness to take risks, he grew their hog and farming operations. Never forsaking his past, he often used his good fortune to help other people get back on their feet.

He received veterinarian certification to tend to his livestock, but also to help area farmers with theirs.

He coached youth baseball, was on the Rural Town Board, Cemetery Board, and the Volunteer Fire Department. When not farming, he enjoyed traveling the country with their friends, playing cards, golfing, gardening, coon hunting, barbecuing hogs for large events, and tending to his worm farm for fishing.

He involved his grandkids in the daily farming and livestock tasks, and was also quick to take them fishing, camping, golfing, watch them play sports, go for a ride in the Bobcat, or on a cruise around the farm in his Ranger. He enjoyed spoiling his great-grandchildren with ice cream or freshly baked monster cookies.

He was genuinely curious and interested in learning about the current happenings of each person in his life, and he could easily make friends with a stranger. He always had a story, a bit of good advice, or a joke to go along with the conversation.

He loved his life on the farm. As his physical health deteriorated, he was determined to stay on the land. He walked lengths of the house daily to stay active and did his own cooking well into his 93rd year. His mind and memory were sharp and his attitude remained positive until the very end.

Marvin was preceded in death by his wife; parents; sister, Alta; and brother, Delton.

Surviving sons are Roger Shaw & wife Donna (Lutkemeier) of Bladen and Larry Shaw of Roseland. Their families include: Nate Shaw & wife Deb, sons Landon & Connor; Matt Shaw and friend Brandie Johnson, daughters Lexi & Bryer; Melissa Dittmer & husband Yancy, children Garrett & Addison; Stephanie Shaw; Jennifer Shaw & daughter Peyton; Michael Shaw & wife Megan, children Mason, Miles, & Mia; Lindsay Prater & husband Ben, children Cambrie & Jett; Jami Fender & husband Bobby, children Axton, Ayven, and Athyns.