Marvin Patten

Marvin Patten, 86, of Clara City, passed away on Friday, October 25, 2024, at CCM Health in Montevideo.  A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 9th at 11:00 am at Faith Lutheran Church in Clara City.  Visitation will be held on Friday evening, November 8th, from 5 to 7:00 pm at Faith Lutheran Church and continue one hour prior to services on Saturday. Memorials my be given to: Clara City Lions Club, Great Plains Lutheran High School in Watertown, SD or Faith Lutheran Church.

Marvin Glenn Patten, a husband, dad, grandpa, great-grandpa, and friend to many, passed away on October 25, 2024. Born on March 4, 1938, to Glenn and Helen Patten, Marvin lived a life filled with love, hard work, and dedication to his family and community. He was baptized and confirmed at Delhi Presbyterian Church and graduated from Redwood Falls High School. On September 21, 1963, Marvin married Diane Meyer at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Gibbon, beginning a lifelong marriage of love and shared faith for 61 years.

Alongside his wife, Diane and children, Marvin owned and operated Granite Floral and Greenhouse for 42 years, sharing his passion for growing flowers and plants with generations of friends and customers. His love for growing plants and flowers, especially gladiolus, began on the family farm near Delhi and continued in Granite Falls and Clara City. Marv was an active member of the Minnesota Gladiolus Society and Dahlia Society. He was also a valued member of the Granite Falls and Clara City Lions Clubs, sharing his commitment to service with the community. 

Marvin’s early years were marked by achievements in FFA and 4-H, including attending the National 4-H Congress in Chicago and showing prize-winning livestock at the Jr. Livestock Show. Marv also contributed 35 years to the Yellow Medicine Fair Board and enjoyed exhibiting flowers and plants at the fair. He loved sharing his blooming plants to decorate at community events.

His faith and family were central to his life; he was a founding member of Bethany Lutheran Church and a dedicated participant in St. John’s Lutheran and Faith Lutheran Churches, serving in various church offices and community organizations. As a family, countless memories were made through working together in the business, preparing for the county fair, and many family vacations in the van to Colorado, Texas, and the Cities. Diane’s home-cooked meals lovingly added warmth and happiness to their life together. 

Marv is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Diane; his children, Stephen (Meike) Patten, Jeff (Tolly) Patten, Lisa (Mark) Fest, and Cynthia (Joshua) VanDerPol; and his siblings, Lois (Bob) Gullickson and Mary Tetrick. He is preceded in death by his parents, Glenn and Helen Patten; his brother, Gerald Patten; and his brother-in-law, Robert Tetrick. Marvin’s legacy of love also lives on through his cherished grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Christopher Patten; Christine (Alex) Klomstad and soon baby Klomstad; Teresa Patten; Justin (Katrina) Patten, with child Zane; Elaina Patten; Philip (Claire Cook) Patten; Aaron (Madeline) Fest, with children Magnolia and Wilhelmina; Isaac (Kailey) Fest; Abigail (Aron) Hulstein; Eli (Kenadie Fick) Fest; Anna Fest and Lydia Fest; Jacob (Kelsey Sharp) VanDerPol, with children Oliver and Jace; Andrew (Lilly Michaloski) VanDerPol, with children Pandora and Remus; Kirsten (Paul Lynch) VanDerPol

Marv’s generosity, love for his family, and dedication to his community will be remembered by all who were fortunate to know him.