Marvin "Marv" Peterson

Rock Rapids, IA

     Marvin “Marv” Peterson age 82 of Rock Rapids, Iowa died Tuesday, December 19, 2023, at Lyon Specialty Care in Rock Rapids, IA.

     Visitation will be Thursday, December 21st from 4:00 to 7:00 pm, with family present from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at The Rock Community Church of Rock Rapids (formerly known as United Methodist Church).

     Private family burial will be prior to service on Friday, December 22nd and a memorial service will be at 11:00 am, Friday, December 22nd at The Rock Community Church (formerly United Methodist Church) in Rock Rapids, IA, with Pastor Travis Remme officiating. 

     In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to The Rock Community Church of Rock Rapids.

     Marvin Hayes Peterson was born on February 22, 1941, the son of Frank and Bernice (Brown) Peterson.  He grew up in Rock Rapids, Iowa, and Steen, Minnesota, areas and attended country school through the eighth grade.  Marvin worked on the farm with his father and brothers and also enjoyed hunting and trapping with them in his youth.  On November 21, 1961, Marvin was united in marriage to Mary Hofstra at the Methodist Church in Luverne, Minnesota.  To this union one son was born, Mark Douglas.  The couple became members of the United Methodist Church in Rock Rapids early in their marriage.  They were married for 58 years prior to Mary’s passing in April of 2020.  Marvin worked for Hanson Silo Company and Foltz Construction before beginning his 38+ year career with the City of Rock Rapids Street Department; retiring in 2005.  Marvin was mostly commonly known as “Marv” to his family and friends; but also took on the nickname of “Short Bear”.  He loved life and if you asked him how he was doing, he was quick to reply with “terrific and getting better”!  The things in life that were important to Marvin were family, church, hunting, fishing, trap shooting, and horses.  He was a “good aim” as he won numerous medals from the Rock Rapids Gun Club for his 25 & 100’s in a row. His love for hunting and fishing was evident by the number of trophy deer he shot and the walleye he caught.  Marvin was an avid horseman with a fondness for Roan Bar breeding, which he could spot from a mile away.  He was a lifetime member of the American Quarter Horse Association; having raised several colts with steady and strong hands.   The mini zoo at Island Park in Rock Rapids was a special place of Marv’s as he took great pride in tending to and caring for the deer, ducks, geese, peacocks, and the many exotic breeds of birds; he loved to see small children come to the zoo and watch the animals.  A large mural of the mini zoo was donated to the City of Rock Rapids by Marv & Mary; noting each species that were important to them. He and Mary enjoyed vacations to the Black Hills with their granddaughters as well as enjoying bus trips with Orvis and Diane.

     Marvin is survived by his son, Mark and his wife, Sonya (Clark) of Rock Rapids; two granddaughters, Melissa (Gerod) Olivier of Brandon, SD, and Martina (David) Hyde, of Sioux Falls, SD; and his great-children, Macyn, Kambrie, and Lena Olivier and Kenydie, Sydnie, David Jr., and Charlotte Hyde.  He is also survived by sisters-in-law, Lillian Peterson of Pipestone, MN, and Diane Peters of Little Rock, IA, as well as many special nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

     He is preceded in death by his wife, Mary; his parents, Frank and Bernice (Brown) Peterson; parents-in-law, Dick and Fannie (Dirks) Hofstra; great-granddaughter, Jessa Olivier; four sisters, Inez Korthals, Audrey Timmerman, Alice Buss, and Mary Anderson; two brothers, Alvin Peterson and Lee Peterson; two nephews, David Peterson and Randy Anderson.