Marvin Dammann Obituary

Funeral Mass Recording Link

Marvin “Marv” Dammann age 93, of Sioux Falls, SD, formerly of Little Rock, IA, died Monday, July 14, 2025, at Ava’s Hospice House in Sioux Falls, with family by his side.

Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service at the church on Friday, July 18, 2025.

Funeral service will be 10:00 AM, Friday, July 18, 2025, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ashton, IA, with Father Siby Punnoose and Father Tim Hogan concelebrating.

Military honors will follow the service outside the church by the William Ben Hoffman American Legion Post No. 290 of Ashton and Buss-Johnson American Legion Post No. 316 of Little Rock.

Marv wished his body would be donated for Anatomical Study, so following his service his body will be taken to the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, SD. He also wanted to encourage others to consider doing anything like this to further medical science.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks everyone to make their donations to their favorite charities in Marv’s memory.

A Celebration of Life Memorial Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on July 26th at the Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 3601 E. Dudley Ave., Sioux Falls, SD.

Marvin (Marv) W. Dammann was born June 19, 1932, on a farm south of Little Rock, IA, the son of William R. Dammann and Anna (Jutting) M. Dammann. As a young man, he attended country school for eight years near Little Rock and graduated from Little Rock High School in 1950. He received an Associate Degree from NITC College in 1977. After graduation from High School, he farmed for two years with his parents and played Alto & Tenor Saxophone with dance orchestras in the Iowa, Minnesota & South Dakota area.

Marv entered the U.S. Army in November 1952 and served his country in Korea during the war and then in Washington D.C. until 1955 as a Sergeant First Class. His duties after the Korean Truce included serving with the 7th Infantry Division Band in Korea and as secretary to the Engineer Provost Marshal General in Washington D.C. Marv joined the United States Air Force in January of 1956, and was active in the Air Force Reserve until he was discharged in 1961.

On October 30,1954, Marv was united in marriage to Theresa M. Molitor at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Ashton, Iowa. After their marriage, they spent a year in Washington, D.C. where Theresa also worked for the Corps of Engineers.

In November 1955, they returned to Iowa, where they farmed for two years near Sibley. During those two years, Marv finished a course in Electronics, Radio & Television from United Electronic Laboratories and graduated with an Electronic Technician degree on November 21, 1958.

They moved to Little Rock in 1959, where Marv owned and operated “Marv’s Radio and TV Service” until January 1964 when he received a Presidential Appointment as Postmaster of Little Rock, IA. He served in that position until January 1, 2000. Marv served as Secretary to the Board of Education in Little Rock for 26 years. He also continued playing saxophone in combos until 1977. He enjoyed spending time with his family, playing cards, golfing, oil painting, wood carving, and enjoyed all types of music. He was a member of the Little Rock EMS Team and served on the E911 County Board. He served on the Little Rock City Council for a period of three years.

A member of St. Mary Catholic Church since 1954, he taught CCD for fifteen years, served as Eucharistic Minister, Parish Director, and was a member of the church council and finance committee. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus (3rd & 4th Degrees), serving as Grand Knight and District Deputy. He was a member of the American Legion Post 0290 of Ashton, Iowa, and a member of the Osceola Community Hospice Volunteers. In 2004, Governor Thomas Vilsack appointed Marvin to serve as a member of the Workforce Investment Board for Region Four. Marv went on the military Honor Flight in September of 2021.

After the death of Theresa, Marv made a move to Sioux Falls, SD.

Survivors include, his children: Karen of Sioux Falls, SD; Michael (Teresa) of Marcus, Iowa; Nancy (Doug) Ortmann of Sioux Falls, SD, James of Sioux Falls, SD; eight grandchildren, Matthew (Becca), Anna, Nathan (Amanda), Blaine (Haley), Beckett (Kennedy) Savage, Emily (Matthew) Moe, Grace and Isaac Ortmann; eight great-grandchildren, Montag, Alison, Vivian, Lilly, Josie, Hattie, Harris and Ophelia; one brother-in-law, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife Theresa, daughter, Brenda, his parents, brothers Edward (Helen), and Kenneth E. (Lu), and sisters, Erma E. Duin and Elva Jean (Charlie) Behrens.