Marvin O. Vorderstrasse

Marvin Owen Vorderstrasse, age 81, of Minden, Nebraska, passed away on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, at Mary Lanning Healthcare in Hastings. A celebration of life with military honors will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 7, 2025 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Minden, NE with Rev. Donald Hunzeker and PMA Julie Schmidt officiating. Private family burial will be held at Oregon Trail Memorial Cemetery in Bridgeport, NE at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family for future designation, or contributed to Pioneer Village or Bethany Home in Minden, or to Perkins Pavilion in Hastings, in honor of Marvin’s legacy. Arrangements are under the care of Craig Funeral Home in Minden. Marvin Owen Vorderstrasse was born on December 18, 1943, in rural Hebron, Nebraska, Marvin was the son of Clara Meta (Robohm) and Fredrich Wilhelm Vorderstrasse. His early years were spent in various small towns across southern Nebraska before his family settled in Glenvil, where Marvin graduated from Glenvil High School. Following graduation, Marvin proudly served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War, spending most of his service stationed in Germany. He forged lifelong friendships with his fellow servicemen—bonds that remained strong throughout his life. In 1967, Marvin returned to Nebraska and married Patricia Jane Barber. Together, they raised three children: Melanie, Michael, and Michelle. Marvin earned his bachelor’s degree from Kearney State College and began his career teaching industrial arts at Lawrence Public School. Later, he managed the Pioneer Village Motel in Minden and eventually became the maintenance manager at the Pioneer Village Museum—a role that perfectly suited his knack for fixing just about anything. In 2000, Marvin married Jacquelyn Hayden. The two shared a love of dancing, antiquing, and adventuring across Nebraska, especially during the annual Nebraska Junk Jaunt. Marvin was a natural tinkerer and a mechanical wizard. Whether it was a complex machine or a flickering light fixture, he could fix it. He often joked that he was “5’17½” tall,” and despite his towering frame, he had a lifelong love affair with Volkswagens. His children fondly recall bleeding brakes while Marvin wriggled under the chassis of yet another VW project. He was a joyful spirit who delighted in making others laugh. Marvin was known for riding bicycles backward on the handlebars, wearing a propeller beanie to embarrass his kids, and attempting to teach every grandchild how to do a headstand. His humor was infectious, and his heart was generous. Marvin loved camping and exploring the backroads of Nebraska, Colorado, Minnesota, and South Dakota. The Rocky Mountains held a special place in his heart. He is survived by his children: Melanie (Dean) Thompson of Pilger, NE, Michelle Bible of Kearney, NE, Michael (Nancy) Vorderstrasse of Naples, FL, and Deanne (Mike Green) Guthard of Ogallala, NE; grandchildren: Michaela Wright (Kearney, NE), Nicholas Bible (Hildreth, NE), Dana (Jeff) Moeller (Wisner, NE), Megan Thompson (Menasha, WI), Rebecca Thompson (Lincoln, NE), Samuel Thompson (Vermillion, SD), Brooks Vorderstrasse (Naples, FL), Jessica Vorderstrasse (Naples, FL), Benjamin (Jaycee Schlueter) Guthard (Overton, NE), Hannah (Reece) Peden (Cozad, NE), Hayden Guthard (Cozad, NE), Jessica Guthard (Cozad, NE); great-grandchildren: Aiden McMichael, Kollyns Guthard, Layton Guthard; sisters, Sandra and Dianne Vorderstrasse of Hastings, NE; brother-in-law, Alex Eckert of Juniata, NE; sister-in-law, Donna Vorderstrasse of Glenvil, NE; and many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and cherished friends. Marvin was preceded in death by his parents, Fredrich and Clara; his wife, Jackie; his brothers Ronald and Allen; and his sister Karen Eckert. Tributes and memories can be shared with the family at www.craigfunerals.com.

Marvin O. Vorderstrasse

December 18, 1943 - August 27, 2025