Marvin Lawrence Simon

Marvin Lawrence Simon, 92, formerly of Riverside, Iowa, died Thursday, October 30, 2025, at Atrium Village in Hills, Iowa, surrounded by his family. Mass of Christian burial will be held Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at 10:30 AM, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Riverside. The service will be available via Livestream on the Beatty Peterseim Facebook and YouTube pages. Burial will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Riverside, with military rites by the Riverside VFW Post 6414. Following the services, there will be a time of food and fellowship at St. Mary’s Church. Visitation will be held from 4 - 7 p.m. Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at the church where a rosary will be recited at 3:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established for St. Mary's Catholic Church. Beatty and Peterseim Funeral Home is caring for Marvin and his family.

Marvin was born on November 13, 1932, in Riverside, Iowa, the son of Ferdinand and Velma Simon (née Stransky). He attended Greenfield Country School through third grade, before attending St. Mary’s Catholic School in Riverside. After graduating from St. Mary’s in 1951, he was drafted into the military service. He entered the US Army during the Korean War, in November 1952, and was honorably discharged in late 1954. He was united in marriage to Catherine Mellecker on August 11, 1956, at St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Hills, Iowa.

He was a lifetime member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, a member of Riverside VFW Post 6414, American Legion, John L. Mumm Post 457 of Lone Tree, and Washington County Farm Bureau. He was a past member of The Washington County Cattlemen, Washington County Pork Producers and the American Angus Association.

Marvin was a lifetime farmer. He loved farming and spending time with his family. He enjoyed coin collecting, planting fruit and nut trees, fishing, and gardening. Marvin and Catherine shared much of their garden bounty with family and friends. He was a faithful supporter of his children’s and grandchildren’s sporting endeavors. Many softball games and practices took place in the Simon back yard. Yes dad, we know, “throw at my head, not my feet!”

Marvin is survived by his wife of 69 years, eight children: son Leon (Lauri) of Riverside, daughters Louella (James) Schneider of Riverside, Beverly (Rich) Schneider of Riverside, Anita (Steve) Becker of Iowa City, Eileen (Tom) Bergan of Edgewood, Carla (Chad) Lloyd of Cedar Rapids, Wanda (Brent) Broeker of Mt. Pleasant, Rita (Steve) Hamers of Ames, 20 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Carol Lynch, and his brother, Richard Simon.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Lucille Sojka, and four brothers, Vincent, Paul, Francis, and Robert Simon, and great grandson, Kohen James Cole.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Atrium Village for their love and care of Marvin over the past year.