MARVIN MARTIN WENDT

Marvin Martin Wendt was born November 1, 1922, the son of Martin and Eva Ladehoff Wendt. He died Tuesday, August 10, 2010, at the Crawford County Memorial Hospital in Denison, Iowa, at the age of eighty-seven.

Marvin was born in Charter Oak, Iowa, and attended country school near his home. After receiving his education, he farmed on the family farm. He enlisted in the Navy and received an honorable discharge.

On January 18, 1945, Marvin was united in marriage to Lillian Malone at the Zion Lutheran Parsonage in Denison. The couple settled on a farm north of Dow City and farmed in Monona and Crawford counties. They were blessed with the birth of eight children. In the early 50s he helped with the construction of the hospital. He worked at IBP in the early 80s. Over the years his work experiences were many and varied, and included working at the Chain-O-Egg Creamery; cleaning up at Seymour Foods; city of Deloit maintenance; driving gravel trucks; working at Northwestern Railroad; Jack Schlee and Bailen's Salvage Yard; security guard at IBP, Dubuque and Denison Job Corps; and also at the experimental farm.

He was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather. He enjoyed socializing with his family and friends. Having a great sense of humor, he loved to tell jokes. His grandchildren brought much joy to his life and he enjoyed building things for the kids. Family history was important to him. With farming being a big part of his life, Saturday mornings were often spent at the sale barn. He loved mushroom hunting and making horseradish. He taught himself to play the accordion and the harmonica. He enjoyed stock car races, WWF wrestling and collecting antique toys. He loved polka music and going to polka dances with his wife.

Marvin was preceded in death by his parents: his wife, Lillian in 1995; one son, Dale Wendt; one grandson, Gary Lee Sellman; sister, Irene Wendt, in infancy; and brother, Melvin. Survivors include two sons: Bill and his wife, Pat; Marlin and his wife, Anna; five daughters: Lois and her husband, Chris; Bonnie and her husband, Michael; Sharon and her husband, Jerry; Mary and her husband, Ron; and Rita and her husband, Jon; 14 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; one sister, Ornella; other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, August 13, 2010, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Dow City, Iowa. Rev. Gordon Buchholz officiated the service and graveside rites at the Dow City Cemetery in Dow City. Organist Sherry Ketelsen provided accompaniment for hymns, "On the Wings of a Snow White Dove," "Amazing Grace" and "The Old Rugged Cross." Serving as pallbearers were Faron Hopper, Jason Schagt, Ryan Schagt, Chris Blair Jr., Jeremy King and Craig Blair. Military honors were by American Legion Post 444 of Dow City. The family invited everyone to the Community Building to join them in fellowship and lunch served by the Ladies Aid. The Huebner Funeral Home in Denison was in charge of arrangements