In Memory of Marvin L. Holstein

Marvin L. Holstein, age 90, of Early, Iowa, passed away on Friday, July 10, 2020, at the Methodist Manor Retirement Community of Storm Lake, Iowa.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, July 31, 2021, at the United Methodist Church of Early, Iowa. Pastor Nancy Peterson will officiate. A Visitation will be held one-hour prior to the service from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, July 31, 2021 at the United Methodist Church of Early, Iowa.

The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Odebolt, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements.  Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

Marvin L. Holstein, the son of Edward and Laura (Bendorf) Holstein, was born on May 6, 1930, in Spiker, Nebraska. He grew up in Nebraska until the age of ten when the family relocated to a farm located between Galva, IA and Alta, IA.

During his school years Marvin enjoyed playing basketball and baseball. He was active in 4-H and liked showing cattle and having one named a Champion Beef.  The family relocated to a farm just south of Storm Lake when Marvin was in the 11th grade where he received his final two years of education and graduated from Hayes Consolidated School, south of Storm Lake.

After high school, Marvin worked for Dekalb, Vilas, and farmed with his father Edward. On December 26, 1954, Marvin married the love of his life Marjorie Mullins. The couple made their home on a farm northwest of Early, Iowa, were they raised their two children, M. Paul and Lee Andrea. Marvin raised livestock and crops for over 40 years before the couple retired to the town of Early.

Marvin was a devoted member of the Early United Methodist Church of Early, Iowa. He enjoyed fast pitch softball, fishing, bowling and golfing, where he scored a hole in one at Spring Lake Country Club. Coaching and leading the local 4-H club and little league teams were passions from his younger days.  He deeply treasured his time spent with family and particularly his grandchildren's activities, also visiting and helping out friends and neighbors along with taking them to needed appointments when called on.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife Marjorie Holstein of Early, IA; children M. Paul Holstein of Marion, IA and Lee Andrea (Ron) Calkins of Fort Pierre, SD; grandchildren: Dr. Molly (Ben Rose) Camerer of Cedar Rapids, IA, Martin (Marlin) Calkins of Carbondale, CO, Andrea (Dave) Mitsdarffer of Lee Summit, MO, and Adam (fiancée Shelby Smith) Calkins of Denver, CO; three great-grandchildren: Felix Rose, Oscar Rose, and Graham Mitsdarffer; sister Phyllis Bruns of Alta, IA; nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Marvin was preceded in death by his parents Edward and Laura Holstein; brothers Chris, Raymond, Don, Gene, Walt and Roger; and sisters Gladys, Ethel and infant sister Marjorie; daughter-in-law Delores Holstein.