Marvin Ludwig

Marvin Lee Ludwig, 82, of rural Menlo, Iowa, passed away Tuesday, November 20, 2018, at his home in rural Menlo from Parkinson’s disease with his wife and hospice present.

Marvin was born on a farm south of Menlo, Iowa, on August 21, 1936, to Vern and Mildred (Bantrup) Ludwig. He started school at Menlo, but the family moved to Glenwood and later back to the farm south of Casey. He attended rural school and high school before going to work for the Union Pacific Railroad in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1953.

Marvin was married to Sandra Jean Bechtol on November 18, 1955. Three daughters were born to this union.

He worked in Des Moines at Western Tool and Armstrong Tire. He began farming in 1964 and had a dairy farm for over 30 years. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church where he sang in the choir.

He enjoyed getting his pilot’s license, playing the guitar, fishing, calling square dances, and his faithful dog, Slim. Marvin always enjoyed stopping at Shirley’s Dairy Sweet and getting a vanilla shake. If Jean ever needed him to come home, all she had to do was bake a batch of cookies. Marvin was never lost, only driving the scenic route.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Brenda Lee Crawford; a sister, Violet, and a brother, Gary Ludwig, who both died as children.

Marvin is survived by his wife Jean Ludwig of Menlo, IA; two daughters, Dawn (Mike) Strum of Spirit Lake, IA and Cindy (Bruce) Michaels of Cumberland, IA; a son-in-law, Steve Crawford of Chelmsford, MA; four grandchildren, Dustin Michaels and Jessi Michaels of Cumberland, IA and Dani Crawford and Colton Crawford of Chelmsford, MA; three brothers, Ivan Ludwig of St. Charles, IA, Darrell (Kathy) Ludwig of St. Charles, IA and Roger Ludwig of Monteith, IA; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation with family will be from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, November 24, 2018, at the Hockenberry Family Care Funeral Home in Adair, Iowa.

Private family burial will be in the Sunnyhill Cemetery in Adair, Iowa. Family will also visit with friends at a lunch at the Presbyterian Church in Adair following the committal service.

Memorials may be left to the family’s wishes.

Hockenberry Family Care in Adair, Iowa, is in charge of the arrangements.