Embedded Files
Marvin & Rhinehart
His Brother Bertus Helmrichs served in the Army 1940
His Brother Bertus Helmrichs served in the Army 1940
Line at the Viewing
Church Handout Front
Church Handout Inside
Below are the church service words about the Cornerstone he was.
Pastor Ede Sermon at the Church service:
Over the years and especially in the last month or so in visiting with Marvin…I kept hearing a word used from time to time. This particular word was “Hootenanny”…so, I had to do a little digging as to what this word actually meant. It is a 12th century word that was used to describe things that were mostly forgotten or unknown…similar to a “thingamajigger” or a “whatchamacallit.” Later on, it became the word used to describe a gathering of family and friends around music. So, today…we have ourselves a “Hootenanny”…not only for our dear friend Marvin…but for the sake of Christ Jesus… who gathers us in the promise of that great gathering of family and friends and music in heaven and life everlasting.
I love music…I taught myself the basics of guitar and told Marvin one day that my next instrument would be the mandolin…Did his eyes ever light up as he brought in a fender f-shaped mandolin for me to cut my teeth on. He stood in my office and picked out a few licks with those big hands…handing over the gift of music that he had done so many times.
Or maybe it was some of the great gifts that he gave to my family…tops that spun perfect for the kids, and recipe box for my wife, different items around the church, even in this sanctuary that many will never know, but a chosen few…handing over the gift of craftsmanship that he had done some many times.
And I won’t tell you about the time that he snuck me a jug or two of his fine homemade wine…at least his instructions were to not tell my wife, or the church council about that…too late!
2 Kings 3:15 says, ”But now bring me a musician.” And when the musician played, the hand of the Lord came upon him.” Elisha is calling for this musician to bring calm music upon all those that are hearing it…in tough times in the kingdom. When the music was played…the music calms and bought hope. Much like music around this circle of friends…like the crackle of a fire and the music of the accordion. Like the hum of wood working tools...creating another masterpiece…
That calm assurance is also in the promise of Christ Jesus and the resurrection to eternal life. That those who believe in him…though they die…will live. The promise that we all share in because we do not grieve as those who have no hope at all…our hope is in Jesus and that one day when we pass from this life we will enter into the calm gathering and sweet music in heaven.
The cross of Calvary…that rough-hewn piece of wood no longer means death…but means life for those who believe and trust in Christ. Marvin knew this as we prayed and shared the sacrament here at this altar, in his hospital room…in his home. The hand of the Lord was upon his musician…the hand of the lord was upon his craftsman…the hand of the lord was upon this servant.
Jesus said “whatever you did for the least of these you also did for me”. I can’t help but to think about Marvin and his wise words of wisdom, guidance or correction to many over the years…family, children, fosters kids…I can’t help but to think of Marvin as turned the lathe or sanded and polished, creating for a church or family home. Whatever you did for the least of these you did also for me…Marvin was a humble servant of Jesus Christ…drop everything show up in his bib over-alls to work and to help kind of guy. And he set that example for us…that when you serve and follow Jesus…you do it for his people with the gifts that you have…music, creating, maybe a jug of wine…
Marvin wouldn’t have wanted all this fuss…but rather he would have wanted that Hootenanny…the gathering of family and friends around music…exactly what we do right now as we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ…and heaven everlasting for us all.
Marvin L. Helmrichs, 94, of Manchester, Iowa, passed away surrounded by his family on Saturday, December 1, 2018, at Regional Medical Center in Manchester. He was born on April 24, 1924, near Ryan, in Milo Township, Delaware County, Iowa, the third son of Johann and Johanna (Leesecamp) Helmrichs. He grew up on the family farm and attended Delaware County rural schools. In 1946, he was employed by John Deere in Dubuque.
On June 12, 1947, Marvin married Doris Jean Hinman, and they moved to a farm in Prairie Township the following February. Four children were born to this union. Their farming operation continued in 1970 when they moved to a farm in Oneida Township. Marvin and Doris opened their home to many foster boys over the next few years.
Marvin retired in 1974. His many hobbies included woodworking, gardening, camping, and fishing. Marvin enjoyed playing his accordion and mandolin at area music jams and senior dances. He was a member of First Lutheran Church in Manchester.
Survivors include his wife of 71 years, Doris of Manchester; his four children, Terry (Diane) Helmrichs of Cedar Falls; Darlene (Larry) Marske of Grundy Center; and Johann (Patricia) Helmrichs and Mark (Patricia) Helmrichs, all of Manchester; 11 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and a niece, Verla (Dave) Tegler of Manchester.
Marvin was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Rhinehart and Bertus Helmrichs; a nephew, Arlyn Helmrichs; one foster son, James Birt; and a great-grandson, Zayden Weaver.
Memorials may be directed to Hospice of Comfort or the University of Iowa for cancer research.
Words shared about memories of Marvin:
Rosemary Hassenfeldt Sitting here crying, smiling and laughing as I look at the posts remembering my uncle. He and Aunt Doris have long been the heart of the Hinman side of the family. You knew when you arrived at their door you would be greeted with love and welcomed into a harbor safe from life’s storms. Didn’t matter if you were put to work helping with whatever needed doing or listening to Marvin play around a campfire, you knew you were truly welcome.
People knew that if Uncle Marvin said it, he meant it. Can’t remember if it was their youngest Mark or their foster son Jim and friends who were the guilty parties, but still remember this one.
Marvin had caught the boys smoking and as long hair was very in, he warned them that if he caught them again, he was cutting off their hair and he didn’t care if they were his kid or not. Sure enough, it wasn’t long before he found them with burning cigarettes. The next day, they appeared for their punishment with scissors in hand. And yes, even the friends lost their long locks.
Going for rides down the road standing on the tractor as he drove or sliding down the pile in the the corn bin so he could get enough corn to grind into the feed, plenty of fun to be found even in chores.
We would stand on the floor next to him or lean on the fenders over the wheel while hanging onto the seat he was on as he drove at about 5 mph or less down the lightly traveled gravel road that ran between their fields. If we were real young, he’d sit us on his lap or have us stand between him and the steering wheel and let us “help” drive. They had two farms on both sides of the road back them.
He’d have us slide down the pile to knock more corn towards the door so he could scoop it up with the shovel and toss it into the grinder. No one was allowed in the bin if he wasn’t standing at the door. Was kind of like a bumpy sled ride done on your butt with your arms out to the side to sweep those cobs along too.
The heavenly choir gained a new member today. RIP Uncle Marvin. You touched so many lives and made them richer by just being you. ‘Till we meet again. 3,449 Views
Lila Thornton remember the time the men rode tractor to get cigarettes but wouldn't go back for bread. snowed in in Prairie Township lots of card playing 500. Remember ladder lying on ground we put kids in order of age and took picture
Debbie Djordjevic Bamburg Before they quit coming south, they would stop and spend a week with us, oh my, the homemade wine and the best chowder I've ever eaten, the laughs we shared!!
Lee Hinman Marvin told me when I was 13 he wish he was my age & know what he knows, I said then tell me what you know. He said you will have learn it yourself. Rosemary Hassenfeldt REPLY: Vintage Marvin Uncle Lee. Would be too easy and you’d never believe 1/2 of it if he told you.
Lisa Thornton He said.."No matter where you go in life, you will always have a place to call home"..then he told me the basement was always open for me..lol!!! Reply:Rosemary Hassenfeldt Lisa Thornton he would have put you there too if a bed wasn’t open.
Correne Ouch, with Chester running under the apple tree!
I knew he was going to try and thought I could duck to avoid. I was wrong!
Paul jr Corenne Liabo you collected eggs, we managed to break a few!
Rosemary There was one nasty one that would always attack me until Aunt Doris had had enough of it and it became dinner one day. To this day walking into a chicken coop makes me nervous.
Correne Now that's great to hear. Probably the same one I was scared of!
Remembering good times on Marvin and Doris Helmrich's farm with my Hinman cousins. Collecting eggs from the chickens, getting knocked off of Chester the horse when he ran under the apple tree, eating fresh pies practically every day, helping to clean the milk machines, playing in the hay mound, and running into the fence with the tractor. I am so thankful for our memories and for my aunt and uncle's patience with us all!
Marvin L Helmrichs
Marvin L Helmrichs
BIRTH 24 Apr 1924 Milo Township, Delaware County, Iowa, USA
DEATH 1 Dec 2018 (aged 94) Manchester, Delaware County, Iowa, USA
BURIAL Peace Lutheran Cemetery
1702 295th Street Ryan, IA 52330 , USA
MEMORIAL ID 195119442 · View Source https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/195119442/marvin-l-helmrichs
GPS Latitude/Longitude=42.361372 -91.461222 Lee Hinman Verified 2019
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