Marvin A. Leraas was born in Finley, North Dakota, in 1909. He was stricken with polio a year later, and his family moved to Minnesota a short time later.
In spite of his handicap, having to wear a brace, he completed his B.S. Degree at Luther College, Decorah, Iowa, in 1931. He was a Science and Music Supervisor at Annandale, Minnesota from 19311936. He and his wife, (Alva) were married in 1936 when they moved to Morris, Minnesota. He was Director of Music and a chemistry teacher in Morris from 19361942. In 1942-1943, he was Chief of Field Service for the United States Ordinance at Igloo, South Dakota, and transferred to the Indian Service and both he and his wife taught school in Karluk, Alaska on Kodiak Island. He then transferred back to Igloo, South Dakota where he was Chief of Salvage. In 1946, he came to Valley City State College and was-head of the Biology Department. Mrs. Leraas managed the College Bookstore for ten years.
In 1949, he received his Master's Degree from North Dakota State University. In 1962, he completed his course work toward a Ph.D. in Science.
Always interested in Conservation, he almost single-handed developed the State Conservation Camp (Ritchie Memorial) on Lake Ashtabula, sacrificing his vacations, and made the camp one of the outstanding projects of the stale, and the only one of its kind in the nation. Mrs. Leraas worked right along with him and managed the mess hall.
In 1952, he and his wife went to Kayseri, Turkey under a Fulbright Professorship where they taught school emphasizing conservation to the people of Turkey. They returned to Valley City in 1953.
In 1965, he had a two-year leave of absence from the College and joined the staff at the Job Corps Conservation Camp at Kooskia, Idaho as Director of Education. In 1966, he transferred to Bismarck, North Dakota and assisted in this same type of program, returning to Valley City in 1967.
At present he is retired from the College but continues his interest in plants. He has students as well as Senior Citizens who take courage from him in this type of work.
Mrs. Leraas not only has helped with the conservation work, but taught school in both Minnesota and Valley City.
Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 140