Pastor Marvin Hartmann
February 19, 1932 ~ January 10, 2019
Pastor Marvin L. Hartmann, 86, of Fargo passed away on January 10, 2019 at Bethany Retirement Living on University. A celebration of life service will be held at 11 AM on Tuesday, January 15, 2019 at Olivet Lutheran Church, 1330 University Dr. S in Fargo, with visitation one hour prior to the service.
Marvin was born February 19, 1932 to Magdalena (Drefs) and Albert Hartmann in their farm home near Delmont, SD. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Armour, SD. He attended a rural school where he was the only student in his class for eight years. In 1950, he was graduated from Armour High School. Marvin was a 1954 graduate of Wartburg College in Waverly, IA and attended Wartburg Theological Seminary from 1954 to 1958, which included one year of internship at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Madison, WI. Following his ordination in 1958, he faithfully served parishes in Hecla, SD, Arthur, ND, and, for 31 years, Bethel Lutheran Church in Wahpeton, ND.
Marvin was united in marriage with Marion Gutknecht on August 10, 1954 at Peace Lutheran Church in Hazen, ND. They were blessed to have been the best of friends for over 64 years.
Following Marvin’s retirement, he and Marion moved to Fargo where he continued to lead a full life using his many God-given talents. He performed interim pastoral work in Galchutt, Abercrombie and Arthur and at Peace Lutheran and Messiah Lutheran churches in Fargo. For a period of time he was a woodworker for a Fargo-based custom furniture maker. During most of his retirement years he was president of the homeowners association where he and Marion resided. As a member of Olivet Lutheran Church, he taught classes on a variety of topics of interest and conferred with Olivet’s pastors on a regular basis.
Marvin is survived by his wife Marion, sons Nathan (Lake Stevens, WA) and Joel (Eagan, MN), daughter Deanna Hoffman (Monticello, MN), daughter-in-law Cindy Hartmann (Eden Prairie, MN), brother Paul (Mildred) Hartmann (Armour, SD), sister-in-law Shirley Gutknecht (Thousand Oaks, CA), brother-in-law Howard Jones (Dundas, ONT), granddaughters Sarah (Adam) Hetz (Brooklyn Park, MN) and Eliza Hartmann (New York, NY), great-grandsons Aaron and Colin Hetz and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Magdalena Hartmann, son Steven Hartmann, brother-in-law William Gutknecht and sister-in-law Rosalie Jones.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to your church or favorite charity.
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My sincere sympathy to the Hartmann family. Pastor Hartmann was a very special person – intelligent, fun and had a very deep respect for the Lord. He was also a very well respected and loved man. He will be missed. My best to all of his loving family and friends.
So very sorry to read the news. I had missed his Christmas letter this last December. What a joyous reunion in Heaven it is with all the family already there. May Jesus continue to hold you all close to Him as you grieve and look forward that glorious reunion day in Heaven. Sending love and hugs.
Pastor Hartmann was a great man. He was respected by all who were fortunate to have known him. He was the best Minister/Preacher I have ever met.
Pastor Hartman was an incredibly wise man and a pastor with a true heart for his parishioners. I will never forget the kindness and comfort he showed my mother the night that my brother was killed and the days that followed. I know he was met in heaven with the words, “Well done, thy good and faithful servant.” My deepest sympathy goes out to his wonderful family.
Thinking of your family prayerfully. We have many good memories of the time Pastor Hartmann was minister in Arthur and the friendship we continued to share.
My sincere condolences to the Hartmann family. Marvin was a great man. He confirmed me and my siblings and married my husband and me in 1985. Loving hugs to each of you! Karla (Skoog) Dahl
My sympathies and prayers to his family what a great guy he was!
Marion and family,
My heart goes out to you in sympathy on the loss of Marvin. He was a kind man with a beautiful smile.
He served Bethel so faithfully and I loved his Bible studies. He loved to teach and his knowledge of the Bible flowed from him effortlessly.
With loving memories of this gentleman and pastor,
Vonnie Opoien and family
My sympathy in the death of Pastor Hartman, I’ve heard such good stories of him and his family.
My sympathy to the family! He was a wonderful Pastor at Bethel. He was a wonderful guy! I remember going over and spending time with Nathan (alot) and he was always there to greet me with a smile.
Heaven gained another GREAT ANGEL
Growing up in Wahpeton I was confirmed by Pator Hartmann. He also performed the marriage ceremony of my husband & I & baptized 2 of our children. He also performed the marriage ceremony of 3 of my sisters. We moved to Moorhead late 1974 & so enjoyed coming back to Wahpeton on Christmas Eve to my parents house & all going to Bethel church for the Christmas Eve service Pastor Hartmann would do. I was blessed to run into him a couple years ago in Fargo it was so great to see him after so many years & we had such a nice visit. My prayers are with the family. God’s peace & comfort to all. Debbie (Lee) Seurer
Thinking of all of you as you say goodbye. Amy Donnan
My sympathy goes to the Hartmann family. However, they have the assurance that he is with the Lord. I went to Bethel Lutheran church in Wahpeton. My maiden name was Lee. Parent are Kermit (Chick) and Joyce (Mary) Lee. He confirmed me and officiated my marriages. He was a true man of God.
Vickie Azure
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Hartman family during part of this thing we call life. We could always count on Marv for guidance. Marv will always be with us as we are guided by his method. He always acknowledged that there was more than one side to an issue and that the facts, not emotion, must be the basis for a good decision. In his honor we should strive to be as fair as he was.
Sending deepest sympathy to your families, Nathan and Joel! So sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing! I will always remember him as a kind and gentle man who loved his vocation and was so proud of his family. Thinking of you all!
Thinking of Pastor Hartman’s family. Prayers for all those who will miss him, and prayers of gratitude for his service to the church and our congregation.
My sincere condolences go to you, Marion, and your family. I thoroughly enjoyed the times I was able to visit with you and Marvin. Such a gentle man and filled with the Holy Spirit. Great rejoicing, though, is going on in heaven, as he joins my mother and all their ancestors who even now eat at the banquet which has no end.
Hugs to you and the family.
Pastor Marv was a highly intelligent, caring individual and pastor. I was privileged to know him during his semi-retired time at Olivet Lutheran Church in Fargo. We thought alike on many current issues and his depth of knowledge was always impressive and most interesting. His work with the Germans from Russia community was very special and appreciated. Condolences to Marion and their family and may God bless the memory of Rev. Marvin Hartmann, as I’m sure God most certainly will.
To Marion and family,
Our sincere sympathy in the loss of Marv. He was a deeply respected friend, and was also chair of the Charis Ecumenical Center when I was hired as director. His wisdom, eagerness to learn, and his humanity are remembered. Unfortunately, I will not be able to be at the funeral because I am current a resident scholar at the Collegeville Institute at Collegeville, MN, and am part of a seminar on Tuesday.
So sorry to hear, we loved visiting with them when he was visiting his brother in South Dakota.
So sorry to hear of Marvin’s passing, Marion! The two of you were such good friends to my parents over the years! They really missed you when you moved from Wahpeton. Wes and I always appreciated the warm welcome we were given by him whenever we visited. We are grateful for his faithful service to the Lord. Blessings on you and your family as you deal with the loss of a wonderful man. May many great memories of him live on in all your hearts!
My deepest sympathies to the Hartmann family. Growing up in Wahpeton and being a member of Bethel Lutheran Church, Pastor Hartmann was integral in my faith. I remember his warm smile and generous spirit. He will be missed by all.
Pastor Hartmann influenced many lives, including mine. He ministered to me and my family as I was growing up. He was there when I got married, when my father died, and when one of my children was baptized. He was a calm, caring, genuine, compassionate man. He will be missed by many! Marion and family, may you sense the Lord’s loving arms enfolding you. May the thoughts and prayers of many bring comfort. May your memories and the words of remembrance by others lift your spirits in this valley of grief. Deepest sympathies!
Pastor Hartman made a difference for all of his congregation at Bethel Lutheran Church in Wahpeton. He baptized, confirmed and married most of my family. He and Marion were also my neighbors in the 80’s. God bless you and your family.