Marvin George Dumdei

Marvin George Dumdei, age 102, of Waseca County, passed away peacefully on February 24, 2026, in a nursing home in Monticello, Minnesota, where family later gathered to say goodbyes.

Memorial services will be held on May 9, 2026, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Waseca, 401 3rd Ave NE, Waseca, MN. Visitation will be from 10:30–11:00 a.m., followed by the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. A Luncheon will follow the service, and a procession will depart by 1:00 p.m. for Smith Mills Cemetery, 201 398th Ave., Janesville, MN.

Memorials are preferred in the form of perennial or annual flowers, or seeds, to help the family remember Marvin’s love for gardening.

Marvin was born on December 14, 1923, on the family farm in McPherson Township, Blue Earth County, about seven miles from Janesville to Frank and Augusta Amelia (Sievert) Dumdei. His grandfather, a German immigrant, lived with the family and spoke some German to the children as they were growing up. He was one of five children: Gordon, Everett, Eugene, and Ruth. He graduated from Janesville High School in 1940. At the age of 16, he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), working in camps in St. Paul and Bemidji.

At age 18, he joined the Merchant Marines, where he served as an ensign, Chief Radio Operator for three years and nine months during World War II. As a civilian Merchant Mariner, he helped transport troops, goods, food, equipment, and over one million tons of fuel to Allied forces. The Merchant Marines suffered a higher casualty rate than most military branches during the war. Being recognized with U.S. veteran status and VA benefits was something Marvin actively advocated for throughout his life.

During the war years, from 1942 to 1946, he shipped out of New York and Boston Harbor for months at a time, and once completed a journey around the world. The crew celebrated this by shaving the men’s hair! After returning home, he attended radio school in Chicago, studying refrigeration, television, and radio.

During this time, he also met Donna Michels at a dance hall in Watertown. They danced the jitterbug, and Marvin later said, “From then on… it was Donna.”They both were living and working in St. Paul-Minneapolis at the time, but carpooled home together to see family. They were married on February 10, 1948, in Nicollet, Minnesota.

Together they had two children: Mark (Stacey) Dumdei of Jacksonville, Florida, and Susan (Wallace) Amsler of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota.

Marvin was blessed with seven grandchildren: Jason (Cree) Bradley of Two Harbors, MN; Heather (Dustin) Craig of Monticello, MN; Dan (Molly) Bradley of Maple Grove, MN; Jennifer Bradley of Maple Grove, MN; and Ashton, Taylor, and Jonathan Dumdei of Jacksonville, FL. He also had four great-grandchildren: Brynn and Dylan Craig, and Evie and Amelia Bradley.

Marvin and Donna lived for 30 years in Brooklyn Center, where they raised their children. Eventually they purchased a lake property that they transformed into their dream home on Lake Wapogasset in Amery, Wisconsin. Marvin loved fishing on the lake and hosting visits from family and friends.

After selling the lake home, they moved to Waseca to be closer to Marv’s brothers and lived there for 26 years.

During those years, Marvin stayed very active. He enjoyed golf, fishing, card playing at the senior center, gardening, and participating in the Men in Mission group at church. Each summer he proudly took home many awards for his produce and flowers at the Waseca County Fair.

After 65 years of marriage, his beloved wife Donna passed away on July 11, 2013, at the age of 86 following a complication from knee surgery. Five years later, in 2018, at the age of 95, Marvin moved from Waseca to a senior apartment in Monticello to be closer to his daughter’s family. His granddaughter Heather, who lived just a few miles away, visited several times each week and helped him with daily chores and needs.

Marvin lived a long, healthy, and wonderful life. Despite suffering two heart attacks, he continued to golf and fish well into his 90s. He got a hole in one at age 87. He enjoyed trips to Applebee’s, watching the swans on the Mississippi River, family trips to the lake or the North Shore, and watching sports- especially Vikings football.

He continued driving until age 99, until he suffered a stroke in June of 2023. Afterward, he moved into assisted living in Monticello and began using a power wheel chair. Although he never fully regained all of his strength, his memory remained sharp!

Marvin celebrated his 100th birthday, then his 101st surrounded by family and friends. By the time he reached 102, he had grown much more tired and was receiving hospice services. Shortly before Christmas of 2025, he moved into a nursing home. Some days were better than others, but he always smiled at his daily visitors. Marvin once told his granddaughter that God spoke to him often, telling him he was doing great, but that he had a plan for him. God called him home on February 24, 2026.

Marvin’s family is deeply grateful to the many friends, family members, VA and Legion members who continued to keep in touch, sending cards, prayers, and wishes over the years. They would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff and hospice nurses, who provided such compassionate care and support during his later years.

Marvin was truly blessed by the love and support of so many.

A video interview with Marvin sharing his World War II experiences can be viewed on YouTube: 001 WWII Remembered: Marvin Dumdei