Marvin Adolphs

Marvin Ben Adolphs was born September 4, 1941, in rural Butler County, Iowa, the son of Bennie and Margaret (Ridder) Adolphs. He graduated from New Hartford High School in 1959. Marvin worked as a truck driver before attending Bailey Technical School in St Louis, Missouri, to study engine repair. He then began his long-time career as an assembly operator at John Deere in Waterloo, Iowa. 

Marvin was united in marriage to Delores Thorne on July 23, 1965, at First Congregational Church in Parkersburg, where he remained a lifelong member. Over the years, Marvin became the father to three children, Jeffrey, Kimberly, and Steven. Marvin continued working at John Deere until retiring in 1997. Following his retirement, he kept busy as a part time truck driver and performing many jobs around the community. 

Marvin loved visits with his children and grandchildren, fishing, camping, John Deere tractors, listening to country music, and taking vacations, especially to Branson, Missouri. He greatly enjoyed tilling gardens, mowing lawns, and moving snow for many people over the years. Marvin is remembered as a very hard worker, a great provider for his family, and someone who loved to tinker in the garage with an ability to fix practically anything. 

Marvin died of natural causes on March 8, 2022, at age 80 at Bickford Cottages in Cedar Falls. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Kenneth. 

Marvin is survived by his wife of 56 years; his children Jeffrey Adolphs of Parkersburg, Kimberly (Matt) Butler of Waterloo, and Steven (Heather) Adolphs of Cedar Rapids; his brother Darrel (Lisa) Adolphs of Miles; his sister, Doris (Steve) Heerts of New Hartford; nine grandchildren, Nicholas, Alysia, Cannon, Chloe, Claire, Ella, Myles, Helen, and Lucille; and multiple great-grandchildren. 

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, March 11, 2022, at First Congregational Church in Parkersburg.  Pastor Brian Koelsch officiated the service.  Special music was provided by Steven and Heather Adolphs as they sang “I Can Only Imagine” and “Softly And Tenderly”.  The congregation sang “Have Thine Own Way, Lord”.  Burial was held at Oak Hill Cemetery in Parkersburg with Nicholas Adolphs, Matt Butler, Cannon Butler and Mike Johnson serving as Casketbearers.

Visitation was from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday at Redman Funeral & Cremation Services.  Memorials may be directed to Unity Point Hospice.  Online condolences may be left at www.redmanfuneral.com.