Marvin Gaudian

MARVIN GAUDIAN

Cedar Rapids

Marvin Gaudian, 94, of Cedar Rapids, died Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2015, at UnityPoint Health – St. Luke's Hemphill Hospice Unit. Arrangements for cremation are in care of Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home. No visitation or memorial service will be held per his wishes. Please say a prayer for Marv.

Survivors include two brothers, Martin Gaudian of Muskego, Wis., and Mel Gaudian of Westminster, Colo.; one sister, Mary Jane Elliott of Chandler, Ariz.; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Luvada "Peg" Luhrs Gaudian, who passed away April 25, 2005; and his parents, Albert and Dora Gaudian.

Marvin was born in Paullina, Iowa, on Sept. 29, 1920. He attended Lutheran Parochial Elementary School and graduated with honors from Paullina High School in 1938. Marv was voted all conference Sioux Valley football center for three consecutive years. He attended the University of Iowa and played in the U of I Marching Band for three years, graduating in 1942. Marv always felt fortunate and proud to have known Nile Kinnick and the Ironmen football team while attending Iowa.

Marvin enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard in 1942 and served in World War II until 1946.

He married Luvada "Peg" Luhrs on July 21, 1943, in New London, Conn., at the Coast Guard Academy.

In 1946, Marv entered graduate school at the University of Iowa and received a master's degree in marketing research in 1949. Following his graduation, Peg and Marv moved to Cedar Rapids and remained there until their deaths.

Marv and Peg opened Peg's Cosmetology Studio in 1952. They remained owners of this salon until 1992, when they leased the salon to a cosmetology group. Marv entered cosmetology school in 1953 and won a hair-shaping award the year following his graduation. He was a member of the National Cosmetology Association of Iowa his entire career, serving as president of Affiliate No. 5 for two years.

Marvin and Peg spent 35 winters in Pompano Beach, Fla., where Marv's hobbies included walking the beaches and collecting shells to make craft items.

He was a University of Iowa Hawkeye fan, and liked fishing and making fish lures, as well as playing bridge and golf. His love for his flower garden and his vegetable garden was widely known. He enjoyed many educational seminars at various places with friends and a glass of wine.

Marvin was proud to be an American, that he served in World War II, and that he was an active member of the Republican Party.

Marvin shed many tears and spent lonely hours for his beloved wife, Peg, and now has joined her once again.

A memorial fund has been established in Marvin's memory and may be sent to Camp Courageous of Iowa or to the personal choice of the giver.

Please leave a memory, message, or tribute to the Gaudian family and friends at www.cedar memorial.com under "obituaries."