Marvin L. Rayhons

Marvin L. Rayhons, 72, of Garner passed away peacefully Sunday, May 31, 2020 at MercyOne North Iowa Hospice in Mason City.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 A.M., Thursday, June 4, 2020 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Garner with Msgr. John W. Hemann as celebrant and Fr. Jim Dubert as concelebrant. Due to COVID-19, family and friends attending the service are encouraged to wear a mask and practice social distancing. Burial will be at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery in Duncan.

A public visitation will be held from 4 to 7 P.M., Wednesday at Cataldo Funeral Chapel, 160 E. 4th St., Garner with a private family Scriptural wake service at 3 PM by Msgr. John Hemann. Social distancing and masks are requested by the family at the visitation.

Memorials may be directed to the Marvin Rayhons Memorial Fund.

Marvin Leonard Rayhons, the son of Leonard and Emily (Tlach) Rayhons, was born July 15, 1947 in Garner. He attended Garfield Township No. 5 country school, Hayfield Consolidated School, graduated from Garner-Hayfield High School in 1965 and then started farming with his dad. In 1966, he joined the 1133rd National Guard in Mason City and was honorably discharged in 1972 as a Sgt. E-5. In 1985, he rejoined serving in the 234th Artillery Army Reserve for three years. On June 13, 1970 he married Nancy Kvamsdale at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Swea City. They lived in Garner where they raised their two daughters, Bonnie and Amy. Marv farmed his entire life doing custom work filling silos, raising hogs, cattle, sheep and operating the family grain operation. He also owned the Purina Store in Garner from 1972 to 1977. In 1994, he and Nancy moved to his grandparent’s farm northwest of Garner and in 2018 to the family Century Farm. Marv loved to work and was always there to lend a helping hand to family, friends or a recent acquaintance. In 2009, Marv’s love for farming and antiques inspired him to purchase the red elevator on State Street in Garner which became his passion. Marv restored the elevator and offered it to the public for receptions, graduations and class reunions. In recognition of his work to preserve the Garner landmark, he was chosen by the Garner Chamber of Commerce as the 2016 Duesey Days Grand Marshal. He enjoyed his family, farming, playing cards with his grandchildren and collecting and displaying Lionel trains. He and Nancy enjoyed dancing at the Clear Lake Winter Dance Party for many years. In his younger years, he was active in playing flag football and league basketball at the Memorial Building. Marv continued to play pick-up basketball way past his prime.

He was a member of St. Boniface Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, Catholic Workman FCSLA w51 and belonged to the Garner Chamber of Commerce for many years.

Marv is survived by his wife of 50 years, Nancy; two daughters, Bonnie (Brian) Cataldo of Garner and Amy Follmann of Anita, IA; six grandchildren, Samuel, Ray and Reed Cataldo and Ethan, Abby and Jack Follmann; his sister, Jeanette (Al) Upmeyer of Garner; nephews, Cory and Shane Upmeyer; niece, Darci Reis; a special aunt, Darlene Oldham of Dubuque; sisters-in-law, Cheri (David) Bartel, Janet (Kent) Knorr and Lori (Dale) Link; and many cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard (2004) and Emily (1978); son-in-law, Brian Follmann (2014); parents-in-law, Earl and Elsie Kvamsdale; an aunt, Rose Mae Pletcher Baker; and an uncle, George Tlach.