Marvin William Wente

Marvin W. Wente, 88, formerly of Toledo, Cedar Falls, and Waverly, died Friday, January 21, 2022, at Harmony House in Waterloo. He was born on June 29, 1933, in rural Bremer to the late Fred and Hilda (Mueller) Wente. After graduation from Waverly High School, he served honorably in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was a proud veteran. He attended Iowa State University for one semester before returning home to work on his family's farm. In addition to farming, his career included life insurance sales for Aid Association for Lutherans (now Thrivent) and managing Farm and City Center in Toledo, where he became a friend and advocate for farmers across Tama County and beyond. Following his retirement, Marv continued to work in seed-corn sales for Fontanelle; he also greatly enjoyed meeting people while selling sweet corn each summer at the intersection of U.S. highways 63 and 30 in Toledo.

A devoted dad to two daughters, Marv frequently drove many miles to spend his only day off with them, often at their grandparents' century farm. He was active in his communities, serving as president of the Optimist Club of Cedar Falls and the Tama-Toledo Chamber of Commerce, and as a lifetime member of the Toledo-Tama Kiwanis Club. Known as the "Waltz King" as a younger man, Marv loved dancing and listening to old-time music; he was a longtime fixture at Polka Club of Iowa events. He also enjoyed listening to hundreds of audio books and collecting miniature versions of the Minneapolis-Moline tractors used on his family farm.

Marv loved sports and enjoyed following the Chicago Cubs, as well as the Iowa, Iowa State, and UNI football and basketball teams. If you knew him at all, you also know he was an avid fisherman. From the Iowa River to the Mississippi, the Great Lakes into Canada, his cabin on Lake Pepin and beyond, he fished with family or friends at every opportunity. Fishing even motivated him to stop smoking; he bought a boat with the money saved. Marv was recognized by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources for pulling a 56-pound catfish out of the Coralville Reservoir, using a rod, reel, and line meant for much smaller fish.

Marv "never knew a stranger" and could strike up a conversation with anyone. His positive outlook rarely faltered, despite health challenges that included lung cancer, macular degeneration, COPD, a permanent tracheotomy, and living on a ventilator 24/7 the last few years of his life. His kindness and positivity were truly gifts that endeared him to many. He will be missed.

Marvin is survived by his daughters, Lisa Wente of Columbus, OH and Laura Wente (Jeff Richter) and two grandchildren (Jeffrey and Jaidyn) of Portland, OR; siblings Duane Wente, Marlys Foster (Wesley), and Bill Wente (Jane Palmer); extended family; and many dear friends. He was preceded in death by his infant sister, Carolyn, and his parents.

A celebration of Marv's life will take place at 11:00 AM on Saturday, May 14 at Ascension Lutheran Church, Waterloo with visitation beginning at 10:30 AM and resuming after the service.  The inurnment will be at 2:00 PM on Saturday at Harlington Cemetery, Waverly. Dahl-Van Hove-Schoof Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital (  https://uichildrens.org/ways-give  ) or the Iowa Department for the Blind (  https://blind.iowa.gov/gifts-bequests-fund-guidelines  ).