Zittergruen, Marvin William

Marvin William Zittergruen, 93, of Monona, died Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012. He lived 92 years independently before having an extended illness after which he became a resident of the Elkader Care Center. Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Monona. The Rev. Scott Duffus will officiate. Burial will follow in the Monona Cemetery in Monona. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Monona, and one hour before the Celebration of the Life Wednesday at the church.

Marvin was born April 12, 1918, the son of Louis and Elsie (Kruse) Zittergruen in rural Elkport, Iowa. Marvin was baptized on June 9, 1918, and was confirmed into the Lutheran faith at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Elkport. He married Ariel Mueller on June 25, 1941. To this union five children were born. Marvin and Ariel shared their lives for 58 years with the common bond of their belief in love of family, a strong work ethic and a deep Christian faith. Ariel passed away on Oct. 3, 1999.

Marvin was also preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, three sisters, and by his sons, Duane Lavern on April 9, 1952, and Louis Lloyd on July 17, 1970 due to injuries received in Vietnam.

Marvin is survived by three children, Shirley (Eric) Anderson of Dallas, Texas, Sheryl (Mary) Zittergruen of Monona, and Linda (David) Monroe of Luana.

He is also survived by eight grandchildren, Lesa (Jason) Reimer, Anne Monroe, Steven (Lisa) Zittergruen, Kristopher (Kate) Anderson, Amy Monroe, Tessa (Steve) Shea, Kevin (Tabatha) Anderson, and Kathryn Monroe.

“Grandpa Firetruck” is also survived by his four great-grandchildren, Keaton Leigh, Lola Ariel, Nash Allen and Cruz Marvin Reimer; his sister, Elaine Schroeder; sister-in-law, Dorothy Zittergruen; two brothers-in-law, Harold Mueller and Butch Roman; and extended family and friends.

Marvin loved his life as a farmer. He was a good steward of the land and his strong work ethic set a shining example for his family and friends. He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church and Lutheran Brotherhood, and served on the board of directors of Union State Bank/Freedom Bank for 39 years. He also served for over 40 years on the board of directors at Northeast Iowa Dairy Cooperative, which in the course of Marvin's tenure included over 20 mergers and eventually became Swiss Valley Farms. He was proud to be treasurer of the Building Committees for the construction of St John's Lutheran Church in Guttenberg and St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in Monona.

Marvin and Ariel enjoyed traveling, spending winters in Florida, playing golf, watching baseball (especially the Cardinals), playing cards in two bridge clubs and celebrating anniversaries with the “Anniversary Club.” After Ariel's passing, he enjoyed playing Euchre with his buddies at Garden View.

Dad, Grandpa, Great-Grandpa, we love you and you will be sorely missed! May you rest in peace.

Condolences may be left with:.

Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Monona, Iowa, is in charge of arrangements.

Published in The Gazette Jan. 24, 2012.