Marvin Wieman

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Marvin Wieman, age 86, of Crooks, passed away on Friday, May 9, 2025, at Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, SD. Funeral services will begin at 10:30 AM Thursday, May 15, 2025, at West Nidaros Lutheran Church, Crooks, with interment to follow in the church cemetery.

Visitation with the family present will be from 5-7:00 PM Wednesday, at the church, and visitors are encouraged to wear SDSU Jackrabbit attire. Memorials may be directed to the West Nidaros Horizon Fund. The service will be livestreamed on the West Nidaros Facebook page.

Marvin Duane Wieman was born August 18, 1938 in Monroe, SD, the son of George and Margaret (Sorenson) Wieman. He spent his childhood in Oakland, CA and Paradise Valley, AZ and eventually returned to South Dakota and graduated from Lyons High School in 1956.

Marv met Elaine Emery in 1955 and they were married on June 8, 1958. They lived in Brookings, SD while Marv attended South Dakota State University, graduating in 1960 with a degree in Electrical Engineering. After graduation, Marv worked at Control Data in Minneapolis, MN. Marv and Elaine moved to Sioux Falls in 1962 to start and raise their family. Marv began his 38 year career at Raven Industries. He often said he started his Raven career the same day Johnny Carson became the host of the Tonight Show.

Marv and Elaine moved to Crooks in 1968 where they made their home and raised their family. Marv later became the General Manager of the Electronics Systems Division at Raven and remained in that position until he retired in 2000.

Marv was dedicated to serving his church as evidenced by his many years of involvement with the West Nidaros Church Council and the Endowment Committee.

Marv was a volunteer fireman with the Crooks Fire Department, a Charter Member of the Crooks Optimist Club, and a member of the New Hope Park board since its formation. He served as a volunteer baseball and basketball coach for many years.

Marv was a member of the Tri-Valley School board for 39 years. He was a member of the board throughout the transition to consolidate Crooks, Lyons, and Colton schools into Tri-Valley, and was board Chairman when construction of the new school location began.

Crooks voted to become an incorporated town in the 1980s and Marv was part of the group that brought it to fruition. In 1988 the Crooks Development Corporation was formed and he served as Chairman until 2021. The corporation assisted with the start of the Community Daycare and more recently the Crooks Industrial Park Development. In the summer of 2024, he was honored to serve as the Grand Marshall of the Crooks Community Days Parade.

However, the most important role was that of a husband, dad, grandpa, great-grandpa (“Opa” to the great grandkids). He never missed a band or vocal concert, play, ballgame, or church or school program for his kids or grandkids. When they weren’t busy attending these events, Marv and Elaine found time to attend basketball and football games at SDSU where they were avid Jackrabbit fans. Often times, Jacks games included kids and grandkids. During summers, many special memories were made at their home at Lake Madison. Additional family memories were made at their home in Arizona.

Those left behind to cherish his memory are children: Kathryn Wieman of Carver, MN, Kelli (John) Merry of Sioux Falls, Scott (Kristin) Wieman of Crooks, and Steve (Melanie) Wieman of Eden Prairie, MN; grandchildren: Andy (Mallery) Merry, Michael (Morgan) Merry, Mason Wieman (fiancée Jordynn Schumacher), Preston Wieman (Lisa Koopman), and Alice Wieman; great-grandchildren: Elaina Merry, Madison Merry, and a soon to be born great-grandson who will be honored with the middle name of Marvin. He is also survived by brother-in-law Bob Emery and Lila Langloss.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother George, and wife Elaine.