Marvin J. Stenz

Marvin (Marv) James Stenz, age 87, passed away suddenly, yet peacefully on Friday, June 14, 2024. He was born on April 24, 1937 in Stockbridge, WI, son of the late Leo and Bridget (Head) Stenz and grew up on the family farm. Marv was baptized at St. Mary’s Church in Stockbridge and was later confirmed at Bethany Lutheran Church in Appleton.

After graduating from high school, Marv proudly served in the Marine Corps as a helicopter mechanic. He married Virginia (Ginny) Hertzfeld on February 14, 1959 and they celebrated 65 years together earlier this year. Throughout his career, Marv worked at American Can and Bartelt Insulation before retiring from the shipping and receiving department at School Specialty after 21 years.

To know Marv was to love him and he brought joy into so many lives. If you ever asked him how he was doing you were sure to hear him say, “Marvelous”. Another favorite phrase was, “I thought I was wrong once, but I was mistaken.” Marv had an outgoing personality and could have a conversation with anyone.

Throughout their marriage, Marv and Ginny enjoyed many activities together, such as playing cards with friends, going to Attic Theater, Timber Rattler games, Appleton City Band concerts and traveling throughout the country. Marv was a devoted fan of the Packers, Brewers, Bucks and Badgers and he and Ginny enjoyed watching the games on television. When the grandkids were young, Marv and Ginny would attend as many of their sporting events as they could. After retirement, Ginny and Marv took up golf and were members at Grandview Golf Course in Hortonville for many years.

Marv is survived by his wife, Ginny; daughters Debbie (Ken) Doell, Darlene (Bob) Pethke, Denise (Terry) Anderson and son Dave (Brenda) Stenz; grandchildren and great grandchildren Kyle (Brooke) Pethke and their children: Hyatt, Ashlyn, Rhys and Chloe; Laura (Dan) Beck and their children: Natalie and Sophie; Lisa (Scott) Hidde and their children: Elliana and Easton; Nicole (Doug) Larson; and Brianna (Koltyn Van Handel) Stenz. Marv is further survived by his sisters-in-law, Rosie Hertzfeld and Ruth Ziegler and many nieces and nephews.

Marv was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Bridget Stenz; parents-in-law, Fred and Marse Hertzfeld; brother, Danny (Donna) Stenz; sisters, Lillian (Roman Sr.) Kappus, Margie (Jim) Gehl and Alice (Leo) Schneider; sister-in-law, Lois (Gary Sr.) Kilby; brothers-in-law Melvin Hertzfeld and Ray Hertzfeld; nephews, Lenny and Tony Schneider, Romy Jr. and Duane Kappus; nephew-in-law, Les Karweick; niece-in-law, Holly Krueger and many wonderful cousins and special friends.

A visitation for Marv will be held from 9:00 am until time of funeral service at 11:00 am, on Thursday, June 20, 2024 at Bethany Lutheran Church, 530 W. Parkway Blvd. in Appleton, with Pastor Dan Johnston officiating. A Christian burial for Marvin will follow the luncheon at Community Lutheran Cemetery in Freedom, WI.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Marvin's memory to Bethany Lutheran Church or an organization of your choosing. Marv's family would like to extend a special thank you to Harold “Whitey” Nienhaus for always helping our parents in so many ways and to Jeff and Betty Pockat for bringing weekly meals for Mom and Dad in the past year.