Obituary of Marvin Martin Werner

Marvin Martin Werner passed away in his sleep early on July 4, 2019—his own Independence Day, at Saint Therese of New Hope, New Hope, Minnesota, at the age of 90.

“Marv,” as he was best known, was born on December 27, 1928, to John Anthony Werner and Florence Lydia (Carpenter) Werner, in Canova, Miner County, South Dakota, the youngest of four children.  He was raised in Carthage, South Dakota, to a farming family.  As a young child, he attended a Catholic church in Epiphany, South Dakota.

Marv graduated from Carthage High School in 1946 in the smallest graduating class in the school’s history—he was one of only six graduates!  Marv often shared stories of his youth, including of practical jokes played on classmates.  He always had a great sense of humor, which remained intact throughout his days.  Difficult sometimes for his family to believe, he was a member of the co-ed cheerleading squad in high school. He participated in Choir and Boys' Glee Club. He also enjoyed acting in plays during his school years.  And he could recite lengthy poems throughout his life that he had memorized in school.  Though attaining only a high school diploma, Marv exhibited great intelligence on many topics throughout his life.  In his younger days he enjoyed hunting pheasant with his sister, Helen. Marv had a great sense of humor and loved to joke and tease. 

Marv served in the United States Army from 1951 through 1953, attaining the rank of corporal.  He trained at Fort Hood Army Base, Killeen, Texas.  He also served overseas at United States Army Garrison Bamberg Warner Barracks in Bamberg, Bavaria, Germany (now closed).  Following active duty, he served in the Army Reserves.

Marv met Bernita Harriet Grove in Fedora, SD, and on September 5, 1954, the couple married at Norwegian Lutheran Church in Huron, SD, with a reception held at Belleview Lutheran Church in Howard, SD.  The couple resided in Huron, South Dakota, for approximately two years, which was where their first two children were born, daughter Karen Lynn (Werner) Nick (John), and son Michael Ray Werner.  The family then lived in Madison, South Dakota, for approximately two years before moving to Greater Minneapolis, Minnesota, where son Jay Alan Werner was born, and a stillborn son referred to as “Mark” was lost.

Marv held varied jobs prior to moving to Minneapolis.  In addition to having helped on the farm, he drove delivery trucks and worked in retail. Upon moving to Minneapolis, Marv was a realtor for a brief period of time, then took a position as a shipping clerk for National Computer Systems where he became a self-taught computer operator, programmer, and repairman.  He also worked for Control Data Corporation, and eventually wound down his computers career at Intran Corporation, a subsidiary of National Computer Systems.

Marv was handy.  Until recent years, he maintained the family home and cars.  He was generous with providing assistance to those he recognized needed help, be it on the road or in the neighborhood.  Yet for all his generosity with his own time and talents, he found it difficult to accept service from others.

Marv and Nita took up golf, and it became not unusual for the two of them to golf 9, 18, or even 36 holes together on a weekend day; they truly loved golfing together and with other family and friends.  Marv and Nita also owned and rode small motorcycles in the 70s.

Another family pastime when the children were young was boating and water skiing with family friends.  Marv owned a small outboard motor, and he would take the children out fishing on Bass Lake, not far from home. Marv loved country music and bluegrass and purchased both a guitar and banjo, teaching himself how to play.

Marv was somewhat a stranger to healthcare, seeking it usually only by ambulance.  One exception was surgery for cataracts.  He loved to read and enjoyed crossword puzzles.  And for many years he subscribed to newspapers and MECHANICS ILLUSTRATED magazine.

Surviving Marv include his three living children, Karen (John Nick, D.V.M.); Michael, and Jay Werner.

Marv is also survived by 7 grandchildren and step-grandchildren: Brandon Robert Riggs, Bridger Michael Riggs, Brittney Dawn (Riggs) Thurston (Jacob), Travis John Nick, D.V.M. (Kathryn Stafford), Tyler David Nick (fiancee Courtney Wilson), Lauren Leigh (Nick) Kalna (Christopher)  and Jason Werner.

Surviving great-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren include Raven Jade Hollingshead, Gavin Brandon Riggs, Kylee Nicole Riggs, Skye Rose Haasch, Ian David Riggs, Braeden Joshua Riggs,  Porter Kody Thurston, Colt Jacob Thurston, Nathan Christopher Kalna, Austin John Kalna, Brody Scott Thomas Kalna, Autumn Leigh Kalna, Bentley Robert Kalna, Cecily Helena Elizabeth Nick, Kaylee Ann Werner, Gage Michael Werner, Cody Joseph Werner, and Charlie Leroy Werner. 

Surviving Werner nephews include Ralph Werner and Robert Werner (Linda Eldridge).  Surviving Berg niece and nephews include Anita “Ann” Mae Berg (Julie Roberts);  Thomas Christian Berg (Patricia Connolly);  and Scott Eldon Berg (Teresa Stammer).  Surviving Grove nieces include Janell (Grove) Milton (Terry); Debra (Grove) Roddel (Jim); Darla (Grove) Adolphsen (Arlyn);  and Amy Jo (Grove) Remmele (Tom).  And Marv is survived by many great-nieces and -nephews.

Marv is also survived by former sons- and daughters-in-law Robert Macdonald Riggs, Peggy (Fiedler) Stewart, and former granddaughters-in-law, Michelle Nelson, and Janie Hanson.  Marv and Nita loved and accepted both current and former in-laws alike.

Marv is also survived by a sister-in-law, Illa (Grove) Berg (Eldon Berg); and a brother-in-law, Lyle Iver Grove (Carol Sapp).

Marv was preceded in death by his his wife, Bernita (Grove) Werner; father, John Anthony Werner; his mother, Florence Lydia (Carpenter) Werner; his parents-in-law, Iver Cornelius Grove and Mae Karen (Johnson) Grove; a brother, Eugene Aloysius Werner, sisters Lois Mary Werner and Helen Mary Werner; a brother-in-law, Eldon Berg,  one stillborn son; one great-granddaughter, Aleah Kinsie Riggs; and nieces, Lois Jean Werner and Charlene Grove, and a nephew, Jeffrey Grove.

A private Celebration of Life luncheon will be held from 10 a.m. to approximately 12 noon on Monday, July 29, 2019, at a St. Paul restaurant. 

A public Taps and Rifle Volley Committal Service will be held at 1 p.m., Monday, July 29, 2019, at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, 7601 34th AVE S, Minneapolis, MN 55450.  (All guests at Fort Snelling must arrive at least 15 minutes early at Assembly Area 2.)

Memorials in Marv’s honor may be donated to American Cancer Society or National Kidney Foundation.