Marvin George Rothfusz

God called home his child, Marvin George Rothfusz, the evening of Monday, June 29, 2020 in Robbinsdale, MN at the age of 87 after a brief battle with COVID-19. His passing was peaceful and he was in the company of his family either in person (wearing protective gear) or via videoconference. He was surrounded by love no matter the circumstances.

Marvin was born September 15, 1932 near Ashley, ND and was the fourth of Andrew and Anna (Geiszler) Rothfusz’s six sons. He attended rural public schools and graduated from Ashley, ND high school in 1950; Wartburg College in Waverly, IA in 1954; and then Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, IA in 1958. After ordination, he served Lutheran congregations in Stickney, SD; Coleridge, NE; Marshall, MN; and New Auburn, MN. He was also an editor of children’s educational material for Augsburg Publishing House in Minneapolis, MN between the calls in Coleridge and Marshall. He left the ministry in 1974 to serve as director of a Minnesota Head Start Program district office. Upon leaving that position, he worked briefly at Glencoe Manufacturing in Glencoe, MN and finally the Green Giant factory, also in Glencoe, until his retirement in 1994.

He married Judith Reinke on Dec 26, 1957 in Milwaukee, WI. They had four children: Sons Lans and Nyls, and daughters Thia and Vona. Infant son, Joc, died in 1961. Through the years, Judy and Marvin worked together diligently to raise their family and serve their parishes. Judy passed away on November 22, 2010. Marvin lived in an assisted living center in Robbinsdale, MN until his passing.

Marvin was well-known for his caring, selfless, visionary approach to ministry and life. A twinkle in his eye always reflected his unique sense of humor and quirky love for fun, laughter and needling. He was often “accused” of being ahead of his time in many areas including pre-K education, environmental stewardship, renewable energy, human rights, LGBTQ causes, and helping the poor, but that is what made him so cherished by so many. He was a pioneer and advocate on all these fronts. His legacy of caring for God’s earth and God’s children is well-entrenched in the lives and actions of his children and grandchildren today. They will build on what he championed and the world will be better because of his life and lessons. He anchored his family in selflessly doing right by and for others.

Marvin is survived by his brother Irvin Rothfusz, children Lans Rothfusz (Norman, OK), Nyls Rothfusz (Gardnerville, NV), Thia Andersen (Plymouth, MN), and Vona Rothfusz (Kansas City, MO); and grandchildren Mara Roth, Preston Rothfusz, Brynn Rothfusz, Marissa Andersen, Kara Andersen, Trinna Andersen, and Carter Andersen. He is preceded in death by his loving wife Judy; infant son, Joc; parents Andrew and Anna Rothfusz; and brothers Clarence, Gerhardt, Ralph, and Paul Rothfusz.

A memorial event will be held in the fall in Glencoe, MN if the pandemic eases by then. Marvin’s cremains will be interred in the Glencoe cemetery next to his wife, Judy. The family enthusiastically requests memories of Marvin and comments be shared at www.forevermissed.com/marvin-george-rothfusz

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Marvin’s name to any/all of the following charities – all of which were important to him:
1. American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) at www.aclu.org
2. Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) Fund for Leaders at community.elca.org/fundforleaders
3. Heifer International at www.heifer.org
4. Union of Concerned Scientists at www.ucsusa.org

The family thanks the wonderful and caring staff at Copperfield Hill and Health Partners Hospice who helped Marvin and his family through these difficult times. Finally, Marvin would want each of you to know you are a loved, cherished child of God, no matter who you are or from where you came. He would also ask you not to mourn his death but to celebrate his life and his long-awaited, welcoming embrace in the arms of Jesus Christ, his Savior. Marvin is finally home. We’ll see him in the morning.