Marvin J. Kenkel Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Marvin Joseph Kenkel was born on May 30, 1928 on a farm near Earling, Iowa to Herman and Katherine (Kobold) Kenkel. He attended Earling schools up until 8th grade when he left to help his parents farm. Marvin and his family moved to a farm in Portsmouth in 1942. In 1952, Marvin married Dorothy Frederick. She passed away on March 23, 1993. Ever since Marvin was 15 years old, he worked in excavating. It became a passion of his that he started his own excavating business in 1963. He owned his own international bulldozer that he called “The Cat” which is short for caterpillar, even though that wasn’t what it was. Marvin had an eye for things being perfectly level. He could spot even the slightest of dirt not being level. Moving dirt, moving houses, digging basements were just some of the things that Marvin’s business did for people and other businesses. Marvin was really good at fixing things. 1n 1988, Marvin sold his business, but still continued to help out with the work. Marvin was a man who didn’t really have hobbies, but he was a part of multiple organizations. He was on the board for the Shelby County Civil Defense, he was on the board for the Shelby County Landfill, He was on the board for the Shelby County Planning and Zoning which he was a key contributor to the upper mosquito creek watershed, and for 40 years Marvin was a volunteer fire fighter for the Portsmouth Volunteer Fire Department. On Wednesday, May 15, 2019, Marvin passed away at Avoca Specialty Care in Avoca, Iowa attaining the age of 90 years, 11 months, and 15 days. Preceding him in death are his parents; his wife, Dorothy; one grandson, Rob Kenkel; sisters, Irene Corn and Jeanette Bowen; and brothers, Don and Charlie Kenkel. Marvin is survived by his son, Steve Kenkel and his wife Charlene of Toledo, Iowa; his daughter, Judy Hoff and her husband Sam of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; three grandchildren, Sarah Kenkel of Toledo, Iowa, Derek Johnk of Iowa City, Iowa, and Rachel Johnk of Lincoln, Nebraska; three great-grandchildren, Allie Sjullie of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Charlie Johnk of Iowa City, Iowa, and Ellis Leuenberger of Lincoln, Nebraska; two brothers, Urban and Dean Kenkel; and other family members. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Marvin’s name to St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Portsmouth, Iowa.

Marvin J. Kenkel

May 30, 1928 - May 15, 2019