Marvin Theodore Zielsdorf

Marvin Theodore Zielsdorf, 78, went to be with the Lord Thursday, April 25, 2024 in Billings, MT. 

Marvin was born on December 22, 1945, to Theodore and Marjorie (Hill) Zielsdorf. He spent his childhood on a dairy farm in Glenwood City, WI.

Marvin graduated from Glenwood City High School in 1964 and moved to Colorado. He was drafted a short year and a half later in January 1966 and attended basic training in San Diego, CA. then completed his communications school at Camp LeJune, VA. before deploying to Viet Nam. He returned in August 1967 to the US and was honorably discharged from active duty in January, 1968. Marvin moved back to Colorado and started work at Beech Aircraft where he met his bride to be and love of his life, Rita. He later was hired at Mountain Bell and retired in 2005 after 35 years, from what is now Century Link, working as a lineman and supervisor.

Marvin and Rita wed on July 3, 1970, and spent 42 years in marriage before Rita’s passing in 2012. Marv and Rita had moved to Montana to spend their retirement in 2005.

Marvin rode in the rodeo as a bronc rider in 1965 and participated in helping with the Little Britches Rodeos in Longmont, CO. He also loved to hunt, fish, and camp with his family. Marv and Rita were avid dancers. You could find them dancing the night away, whether it be on a country dance floor or in their own kitchen with friends and family. He had a great love for his work, wife, family and grandkids. He was a faithful member of Our Savior Lutheran Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Theodore and Marjorie; wife, Rita; sister Donna Rae; sister, Rose; brothers-in-law Carl Koonst and Jerry Osborne and sister-in-law Ilene Zielsdorf. 

He leaves behind his daughter Rhonda of Billings MT (Steve); son Mathew of Memphis, TN; four grandchildren, Colter(Madison) of Billings, MT; Markus of Jonesboro, AR; Shawn(Milli) of Macomb, MI; Ely(Grace) of Billings, MT; and one great-grandchild, Elowyn of Macomb, MI. Marv will remain in the hearts of his siblings, Marlene Koonst, Harland Zielsdorf, Kendra (Duane) Kostman, and Duane ‘Dope’ (Deb) Zielsdorf.

His joy for life was summed up in a quote from his high school yearbook, “It’s not what we do, it’s what we get away with”.

Expressions of condolences may be left on his Tribute Wall at Heights Family Funeral Home and Crematory. https://www.heightsfamilyfuneralhome.com/

Marv’s celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. on August 3, 2024 at the Woodville American Legion, 206 S Main Street, Woodville WI. His final resting place will be alongside Rita in the family cemetery in Glenwood City WI. 

There will be a tribute for him during the Sunday service on May 12, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. – Our Savior Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1603 St. Andrews Drive, Billings MT 59105.