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Marvin August Klann, 76, died peacefully Saturday morning, January 10, 2009, after suffering a stroke on New Year's Day. Marvin was born March 29, 1932, in Neillsville, Wis., to August Karl Klann and Anna Marie Klann. He was baptized April 24, 1932, into the Lutheran faith. Marvin's character and work ethic were developed during his youth, working on the family's dairy farm and excelling in academics at the Lutheran schools he attended. His time spent playing football in high school was the start of a lifelong passion for the game of football. At 18, Marvin enlisted in the Air Force and served in the occupation forces in Germany and France following World War II. It was the Air Force that brought Marvin to San Antonio, where he met a USO volunteer, Katie Hoover of Floresville. Marvin was transferred to California following his discharge September 19, 1954. Katie joined Marvin in Los Angeles and became his bride on November 4, 1954. In Los Angeles, Marvin attended vocational school and received training as a diesel mechanic. He and Katie were blessed by the birth of their first daughter in 1955. They moved to Houston, where he was employed by Mustang Tractor & Equipment Co. Over the next decade, Marvin advanced from mechanic to service manager. Four more children, three girls and a boy, were added to the family. Marvin relocated his family to San Antonio in 1968 and joined Holt Machinery. He worked there nearly 20 years before accepting employment with Austin Engineering. Marvin worked hard all his life to provide a good living for his family and continued to work independently following his retirement. Most recently, Marvin operated Mars Glass Magic windshield repair and distributed AMSOIL products. Marvin was a longtime member of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and currently attended Mount Calvary Lutheran Church. Football remained one of his passions, and Marvin enjoyed watching games at McCollum High School, where his son is head football coach. As a lifelong learner, Marvin also was an avid reader of technical material and a self-taught computer programmer. Marvin is survived by his wife, Katie, and five children: Lucy English and spouse Terry of Barnseville, Ga., Linda Klann of Lincoln, Neb., Loretta Swenseth and spouse Scott of Lincoln, Neb., Carl Klann and spouse Kristie of San Antonio, and Marvilyn Reyes and spouse Antonio of Austin. He is also survived by his brother, Walter Klann and spouse Janet of Glendale, Ariz., a brother-in-law Robert Hoover and spouse Shirley of Floresville. Additional survivors include 14 grandchildren: Kerry Kinser, Katie Monroe, Sara English, Christopher Klann, Robert Carson, Kimberly Carson, Amber Swenseth, Rebecca Swenseth, Charles Swenseth, Aaron Swenseth, Lyndsey Klann, Landry Klann, David Reyes, and Anna Reyes; 1 great-grandchild, John Carson; and various cousins, nieces and nephews. After a sweet goodbye to his bride of 54 years, Marvin August passed gently into the love and presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

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Marvin A. Klann

March 29, 1932 - January 10, 2009