Marvin D. Bohlen, 88, Clarksville

Marvin D. Bohlen, 88, passed away peacefully in the early morning of April 17, 2026, surrounded by his family.

Marvin was born on March 12, 1938, in Oskaloosa, Iowa to Herman and Anna (Stowie) Bohlen. He completed the 8th grade and began a lifetime of hard work, spending many years as a farm hand and portable feed grinder operator. He then worked at Chamberlain’s Manufacturing for 27 years before retiring from DC Industries in 2000.

Marvin proudly served his country in the United States Army, enlisting in December of 1958. He was honorably discharged in March of 1962 after spending one year in Korea.

On August 31, 1962, Marvin was united in marriage to Elaine (Vance) at Immanuel United Church of Christ in Clarksville. Together, they shared over 60 years of marriage and built a large, strong family that was the center of his life. Marvin continued to be a lifelong member of the Immanuel United Church of Christ, rarely ever missing a service. He continued to faithfully attend online in his later years when he was no longer able to attend in person.

Marvin enjoyed the simple things in life, especially time spent with family.  He loved sports and rarely missed an opportunity to attend his children or grandchildren’s events, always showing up to support and cheer them on. He also had a love for golf and for many years, he was a familiar face on Thursday nights for men’s golf league in Clarksville at CARD, where he formed lifelong friendships while enjoying the game he loved. One of his proudest moments at CARD was hitting a hole in one on hole 8 in 2011. He passed his love of the game onto his children and grandchildren, who could often be found playing a round with him on a summer day. Those memories will live on in their hearts forever.

Marvin is survived by his wife Elaine, of 63 years; his children, Brent Bohlen of Waterloo, Iowa, Steve (JoLynn) Bohlen of Wapelllo, Iowa. Todd (Deb) Bohlen of Belle Plaine, Iowa, Shari (Dave) Wilken of Clarksville, Iowa, and Darren (Molly) Bohlen of Clarksville; his grandchildren, Jordan (Tyler) Kraft, Vance, Brodie (Rachel Montgomery), Ashton (Jack Ollendieck), Olivia (Ryan Kendall) Bohlen, Tia (Cody) Goehring, Toni Bohlen, Kara (Ian ten Hoeve), Brooke and Blake Bohlen; his great-grandchildren, Charlie, Elliana, and Luke Kraft, Sawyer and Adelyn Goehring, and baby Kraft due in August; siblings, Martha Johnson and Melvin Bohlen; brother-in-law, Harold DeBeer; and special friend, Merlyn Hirsch.

Marvin is preceded in death by his parents; mother and father-in-law; brother, Oren Bohlen; sister Jean DeBeer; grandson, Trae Bohlen; sister-in-law, Valda Bohlen and brother-in-law, Lester Johnson.

Funeral Services will be at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at the Immanuel United Church of Christ, Clarksville, Iowa

Visitation Services will be from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 21, at Redman Funeral Home in Clarksville, Iowa

Memorial may be directed to Cedar Valley Hospice