Marvin Roovaart, 64, of Grinnell, passed away peacefully on October 14, 2021, at his home.
A celebration of life service is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, October 19th, at the Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell with Rev. Jim Dotson of Montezuma, officiating. Pallbearers will be Jeremy Blom, Pat Fusaro, Greg and Joe Mielak, Randy Roovaart, and John Thompson. Burial will be in Hazelwood Cemetery in Grinnell.
Visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday, October 18th, at the Smith Funeral Home and with the Roovaart family present from 5:00 to 7:00 Monday evening.
Memorial contributions may be designated to Hazelwood Cemetery Landscaping Fund.
Marvin was born on July 3, 1957, in Oskaloosa, the son of Lyle Wayne and Betty Lou Phipps Roovaart. He was raised on the family "Century Farm" in the New Sharon area and was a 1975 graduate of North Mahaska High School in New Sharon.
On October 31, 1980, he was united in marriage to Cynthia L. Butcher, in Unionville, Missouri. The couple lived in Grinnell where they raised three daughters.
Marvin was employed with the City of Grinnell for 33 years and retired in 2013. After his retirement, he enjoyed spending his winters in Florida.
Marvin enjoyed socializing with his family and friends, bowling, playing golf at Oakland Acres Golf Course, and fishing in the area, especially night-time cat fishing. He loved mowing and his Allis-Chalmers tractors. He was an avid fan of the Denver Broncos and John Elway and NASCAR with Kasey Kahne and Bill Elliott among his favorite drivers.
Survivors include his father, Lyle of Barnes City; three daughters, Vanessa Roovaart of Grinnell, Nichole Roovaart of Grinnell, and Desiree (Jeremy) Blom of Sully; his girlfriend, Karen Rockefeller of Hudson, Florida; three siblings, Randy (Michelle) Roovaart of Windsor Heights, Lila (Pat) Fusaro of Des Moines, and Twila (John) Thompson of Montezuma; and four grandchildren, Skylar Green, Gabriel Sears, and Kylan and Lakota Blom. He was preceded in death by his wife, Cynthia in 2007 and his mother, Betty.
