Marvin Leroy Book, born February 17, 1931, to Carroll and Emma (Erb) Book in a farmhouse south of Guthrie Center, passed away March 17, 2024, in Des Moines due to complications from colon cancer and COPD.
After moving around Iowa for various farming opportunities during his youth, the family settled on a farm west of Dana for Marv’s middle and high school years. Marv attended Dana High School where he graduated as class valedictorian, a proud fact which he shared with a twinkle in his eye, disclosing that his sole classmate must not have been very bright.
As one of the three handsome, witty, and bear-pawed Book Boys (Darrell, Marvin, and Claire), he learned early the values of hard work, tenacity, and honesty. When Marv was asked if he ever fought with his brothers, he replied, “No. We had no reason to argue and too many chores.” Marv had nothing but love and respect for his parents and brothers.
After service in the Army, Marvin returned to Dana to farm with his father. He married Barbara Ann Winchell in 1956 and together they raised four children. He acquired an auto body repair shop and moved the family to Jefferson in 1967. In the fall of 2000 he drove out to Larson Farms to help with harvest. What was supposed to be a two-week stint turned into 14 years of harvesting and hauling hay – the happiest years of his work life. Marv was an extremely competent (everything is figure-outable) and dedicated “working man”, fully retiring at the age of 81.
Marv loved spending time outdoors. Hunting, fishing, and golf were lifelong passions and he was proficient at each. He was brilliant with a knife, cutting up deer and cleaning the fish which would feed his family for years. Marv was also a keen wood worker, finding a meaningful purpose for his hobby during COVID by making birdhouses which he sold to benefit Food Bank of Iowa.
Marv perfected the act of raising one eyebrow followed by a wink, which endeared him to many. His mission later in life was to make others smile and he was his funny and charming self up to the very end. He managed to garner a kiss on the cheek from most every gal he met.
Please honor this gentle man by living tomorrow to its fullest. Greet the day with curiosity and delight. Be kind to all you meet – well, maybe not the incurable assclowns – but everyone else. Spend time in nature noticing the sounds of rustling leaves, babbling brooks, and sweet birdsong. And as the sun sets hoist a Miller Lite in Marv’s memory.
Marv was welcomed into heaven by his parents Carroll and Emma, brother Darrell, wife Barb, grandchild Nate, great-grandson Leo, and most certainly his favorite pooch Susie. Family left to cherish his memory include his dear brother Claire Book (Pat) and children Bill Book (Mary), Michelle Book, Mark Book (Lisa), and Tami Book, along with a passel of loving grandchildren, great-ingrandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at Saturday, March 30, at 11 am at First Presbyterian Church in Jefferson. Friends may pay your respects and visit with family members at Jefferson Community Golf Course on Friday March 29th from 4 to 6pm.
