Marvin Honold, 91

Marvin Honold, 91, of Grinnell, died on Friday, February 23, 2024, at UnityPoint Grinnell Regional Medical Center.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 am, Friday, March 1, 2024, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Grinnell with Rev. Dr. Joel Koepp officiating. A luncheon will follow the service at the church. A graveside service will be held at 2:30 pm on Friday at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery in Latimer, Iowa.

The family will receive friends at the visitation held from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm on Thursday, February 29th at the Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be designated to the Immanuel Lutheran Church or to the St. Francis Manor Foundation and mailed in care of the Smith Funeral Home and Crematory, PO Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112. Memories and condolences may be shared with Marvin’s family online at www.smithfh.com.

Marvin August Honold was born on March 3, 1932 in Hampton, Iowa to Elmer Louis Honold and Alvina (Pralle) Honold. He was raised on the family farm near Latimer and educated at the “Honold” country school near his home. He assisted his father in the family farm operation following his education.

Marv honorably served as a Corporal in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict from 1952 until 1954. He met the love of his life, Ruth DeGraw, on a blind date in Latimer, Iowa and the couple was united in marriage on August 5, 1961 in Maquoketa, Iowa. They were blessed with two sons, Kevin and Todd, and a daughter, Heidi. They raised their family in Hubbard and Hampton, before moving to Grinnell in 1970. Marv worked in the parts department at the John Deere dealership in Hubbard and then sold cars in Hampton before moving to Grinnell where he was the Parts Manager at the John Deere dealership. He was a member of the Latimer American Legion and the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Grinnell.

For nearly 40 years farmers and customers at local John Deere stores were greeted with his smile and had the peace of mind knowing Marv knew exactly the right part they needed. He knew so many people that he earned the title, “Mayor Marv” from his family and friends. His enjoyments included attending country dances with Ruth, collecting toy tractors and farm equipment, and having a warm glass of tea in the evening. He will be remembered for his kindness, for helping others, and for the strong love of his family.

Marvin is survived by his wife of 62 years, Ruth Honold of Grinnell; his children, Kevin Honold of Urbandale, Todd (Traci) Honold of Waukee, and Heidi (Keith) Jensen of Ames, and his grandchildren, Abby (Seth) Pals of North Liberty, Luke Honold of Denver, CO, Cale, Jared and Trevor Jensen all of Ames, Blake Corley of Jacksonville, FL and Tate Corley of Waukee.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and his siblings; Lorna Brown, Frank Honold, Vernon Honold and Karen Lehman.

Marvin’s family would like to thank his friends and co-workers from the Grinnell John Deere store, and members of Immanuel Lutheran Church, especially Steve and Pam Haase. Your care and concern for Marvin the last few years did not go unnoticed. Another special thank you goes to everyone at the Frontier Restaurant for treating him so well when he would come in for his coffee and english muffin. You all took such good care of him.