Nemmers, Marvin 1929-2006

NEMMERS, WALSH, ERDMANN

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 6/16/2010 at 15:49:48

From: Le Mars Daily Sentinel, February 2, 2006

Marvin "Sonny" Nemmers, 76, of Le Mars, died Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2006, at Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City, following a lingering illness.

Marvin Leo Nemmers was born March 6, 1929, in Le Mars, the son of Leo and Lucille (Walsh) Nemmers. He grew up in Le Mars and graduated from St. Joseph's Catholic High School in 1947. Sonny was active in sports and was considered a standout basketball player. He played basketball for Loras College and was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame. After graduating from Loras with an education degree, he taught one year at Holy Name School in Marcus.

Marvin L. Nemmers married Marcella Margaret Erdmann on June 3, 1952 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Le Mars. For the next two years, Marvin served his country with the U.S. Army. He ended up being stationed overseas during the Korean War in Korea with the A Battery, 176th Field Artillery Battalion.

After the war, Marvin returned home to Le Mars, where he was a teacher and coach at Gehlen Catholic School from 1954 to 1966. He taught history, business, and speech. He was also the head basketball and golf coach and was assistant coach for football and track. For three summers, he also managed the Pro Shop at the Le Mars Golf Course in the early 60s. Sonny then began employment with First National Bank in Le Mars, where he was a loan officer for 18 years, until his retirement.

He was active in various civic organizations over the years and had served as City Clerk from 1966 to 1973, had been president of Little League Baseball for many years and was a longtime Floyd Valley Hospital board member.

He was an active member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, where he was a member of the church choir and served as an usher for many years. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, Trinity Council 1466 in Le Mars, Kiwanis, Elks Club, and the American Legion, Wasmer Post 241.

He enjoyed family and friends, sports, golf, bowling, and the outdoors. He was an avid Cubs and Notre Dame Fan.

Survivors include his wife Marcella of Le Mars; his four children: Becky Beitelspacher and her husband, Henry of Le Mars and their children,Kyle, Troy and his wife Amanda, Laura and her fiancé Eric Weiler, Lisa, Jackie, and Ryan; Doug Nemmers and his wife, Rita of Le Mars and their children, Benjamin, Nathan, and Bethany; Judy Clement and her husband, Dan of Le Mars and their children, Jared, Cara, and Leah; and Mark Nemmers and his wife, Pam of Le Mars and their children, Maggie, Adam, Mollie, and Jacob; four sisters, Marilou Mayrose, Marge Livermore, Barb Baack, and Betty Shea and her husband Steve, all of Le Mars; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Rosemary Robinette and Betty Erdmann of Le Mars, Sister Rosalie (Anna) Erdmann, S.L.W. of Sioux City, Marie Schmitz and Bernard Erdmann and his wife Arlene, all of Le Mars, and Pat Kolhoff and her husband Paul of Round Rock, Texas; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter Terri Nemmers; his mother and father-in-law John and Rose Erdmann; five brothers-in-law: Bill Baack, Leonard Mayrose, Hank Livermore, Gordon Schmitz, and Arnold Robinette; a nephew, Steve Mayrose; and a great-niece, Samantha Erdmann.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Le Mars, with the Rev. Kevin Richter officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Le Mars, with military honors provided by Wasmer Post 241 of the American Legion.

Visitation is at the church after 2 p.m. Friday, where there will be a rosary at 4 p.m., a Scriptural wake service at 7 p.m., and a Knights of Columbus rosary at 8 p.m.

There will also be one hour of visitation at the church on Saturday morning before the funeral.

The Feuerstein Funeral Home in Le Mars is in charge of arrangements.