Pankow, Marvin Carl 1946 - 2023
PANKOW, CASEY, TIMP, PEPPER, CROW, GRAVES, PETERSON, MEYER, BURKE, BRAM, NUMEDAHL
Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 1/20/2023 at 12:49:14
Marvin Carl Pankow, age 76, of Decorah, IA, passed away on Sunday January 15, 2023, at Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah.
Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 21, 2023, at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Decorah with Rev. Donald Hertges presiding. Burial will be in the St. Benedict Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, January 20, 2023, at the Helms Funeral Home, 604 South Ave., Decorah, IA and one hour prior to Mass on Saturday.
Marvin “Marv” Pankow, was born on June 29, 1946, in Decorah, IA to Carl and Catherine (Casey) Pankow, the third of four boys. Marv attended St. Benedict's School in Decorah 1st-8th grade and then attended high school at St. Francis deSales High School in Ossian, IA. As a student, Marv used a school bus to drive himself and classmates between Decorah and Ossian every day. In December of 1963 Marv asked one of his classmates, Nancy Timp to attend the Four Seasons concert at Matters Ballroom. They dated off and on, finally becoming high school sweethearts with the help of some holy intervention by Sister Margretta. Marv and Nancy were married on June 10, 1967, at St. Aloysius Church in Calmar, IA. Marv and Nancy settled in Decorah and went on to have two children, James and Jonathan Pankow.
Marv went right into the workforce after graduation, working at Luther College and Fareway for a time before starting his career in maintenance at Decorah High School in 1974. Marv took great pride in maintaining and improving the school buildings and grounds and empowering his employees. After more than 30 years, Marv retired as head of maintenance and grounds in 2004, having made many lifelong friends along the way. After retirement, Marv spent his spare time taking scenic drives around the area, watching the birds at his feeders, golf on TV, and spending time with family - especially his grandchildren. Marv worked hard to provide for his family and create the opportunity to take his family on road trips with a special focus on visits to national parks. Many of Marv's favorite memories were trips he took with his wife & kids and extended family members.
Marv was a helper, a doer. He showed his love through service to others and was well known for helping neighbors with all types of chores and projects. Marv encouraged family involvement in these activities which created many memories along the way. Marv always made sure his family members were well supplied with batteries, a bit of spending money, and snacks. Marv was a lifelong member of St. Benedict's Church. He was very dedicated to the church and school, donating countless hours caring for the cemetery, school grounds, and helping with building improvement projects.
Marv is survived by his wife of 55 years, Nancy Pankow of Decorah, IA; his sons James (Rebecca) Pankow and Jonathan (Karn) Pankow both of Decorah, IA; his beloved grandchildren Ethan (Amy) Pankow of Marana, AZ, Jonah Pankow (Maranda Pepper) of Ames, IA, Mara Pankow of Decorah, IA, and Amelia Pankow of Decorah, IA. Marv is also survived by his brothers, Donald Pankow and Robert (Viola) Pankow and his brothers and sisters in-law, Gary Timp, Myra (Gerald) Crow, Patricia (Frank) Graves, Linda Peterson, Kevin (Nancy) Timp, Sandra (Kim) Meyer, Kris (Ed) Burke, Lisa (Brian) Bram, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Marv was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Catherine Pankow, his father and mother in-law, Lawrence and Esther Timp, brother Wayne Pankow, brothers in-law James Numedahl and David Timp, nephew Jared Timp.
A special thanks to the dedicated staff at Winneshiek Medical Center, the caring staff and acquaintances at Aase Haugen Nursing Home, and countless friends, neighbors, and community members who enriched Marv's life.
Source: Helms Funeral Home database
St. Benedict Cemetery
Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Jeff Getchell.
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