Marvin H. Engstler

Marvin H. Engstler, 91, of Garner, passed away Sunday, October 1, 2023, at Hancock County Memorial Hospital in Britt.

A funeral mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, October 6, 2023, at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Garner with Fr. Paul Lippstock officiating. Military rites will be conducted by the Garner Veterans Ceremonial Unit. Burial will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday at the church cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m., Thursday, October 5^that St. Boniface Church with a rosary by Deacon John Roisen at 4:30 p.m. followed by a Scriptural wake service. The family requests that you wear Boston Red Sox, Boston Celtics, Green Bay Packers or Iowa Hawkeyes clothing/colors in remembrance of Marv’s favorite sports teams at the visitation.

Memorials may be directed to St. Boniface Catholic Church, Garner-Hayfield-Ventura Community Schools, or the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital.

Marvin Harvey Engstler, the son of Harvey and Anna (Dankbar) Engstler, was born May 4, 1932, on the family farm north of Garner. He attended Garfield No. 1 country school near his home and graduated from Garner High School.  After high school, he helped his father on the farm. Marvin served his country in the U.S. Army from March 1953 until April 1954. He met the love of his life, Elizabeth Johnson of Mason City at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake. Marvin and Elizabeth were married on January 9, 1960, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Mason City. They made their home on the family farm north of Garner their entire married life. Marvin worked at Lehigh Cement Company and farmed. In 1964, he began working as a custodian at Garner-Hayfield High School, which he continued until his retirement in 1994. He enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s activities, farming, and pitching horseshoes. Marv was known throughout the state and country as one of the top horseshoe pitchers. He competed and won at many state and national contests over the years. 

He was a lifetime member of St. Boniface Catholic Church, St. Boniface Men’s Society, and the Garner VFW Post 5515. Marvin also belonged to the National Horseshoe Pitcher’s Association and the Iowa Hawkeye Horseshoe Pitcher’s Association.

Marvin is survived by his wife of 63 years, Elizabeth of Garner; three daughters, Theresa (Rod) Ames of Mason City, Mary (David) Hanna of Forest City, and Barb (Randy) Freese of Baxter; six grandchildren, Alyssa Ames, Pierce (Brittny) Ames, Chris (Holly) Hanna, Shauna (Josh) Hanna-Nollin, Michael (Nicole) Freese and Courtney (Andy) Rosenberger; nine great-grandchildren; two sisters, Helen Severson of Garner and Joanne Nedved of Kansas City; two sisters-in-law,  Carole Engstler of Garner and Ellen Johnson of Seattle, WA; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his parents-in-law, Robert and Zelma Johnson; brother, Lawrence Engstler; and brothers-in-law, Duane Severson, Paul Johnson, and Joseph Johnson.

The family would like to express gratitude for the loving care Marvin received from the staff at the Britt Hospital and Medical Clinic. Special thanks to Dr. Catherine Butler, Jamie Bratner, nurses Nicole, Garry, and Belinda, Hancock County Public Health Staff, and Father Paul Lippstock in his final days.