Marvin W. Heller

Marvin William Heller was born on a farm in Arkansaw, Wisconsin on May 13, 1931 to Henry and Grace Heller. He attended Maple Ridge Elementary School and Arkansaw High School. Following training at the Gale Institute, he worked as a telegraph operator at Milwaukee Road for 12 years. He received further training at Northwestern Electronic Institute and Brown Institute. Marvin relocated to Greece for a two-year position with Federal Electric. He completed his career as an Electronic Technician at Control Data in Minnesota for 23 years. Marvin enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1951 and served for two years as a radio control operator in California. He then signed with the Marine Corps Reserves and served until 1959.

In 1964, he married Dagmar Christine Colliander. Together, they lived in St. Paul and enjoyed 52 years of marriage. Their lives were filled with family and friends, summer camping trips across North America and winter breaks at Daytona Beach. Marvin generously shared his enthusiasm for trains and the outdoors by volunteering countless hours at the Jackson Street Roundhouse Museum, the Carpenter Nature Center and Harriet Alexander Nature Center. He was known for his signature bib overalls and railroad engineer cap.

For the last eight years, Marvin made his home at Meadowood Shores in New Brighton, where he created many friendships and kept active tending the gardens and often helping shovel the walks.

He was preceded in death by parents, wife, sisters Rebecca (George) Frank, Naomi (Darrel) Manore, brother Eugene (Catherine) Heller along with sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law of his wife’s family.

Marvin is survived by nephews, nieces and special friends the Nelson family.

Funeral service Thursday, August 28, 11:30AM at Roseville Memorial Chapel (2245 Hamline Ave. N., St. Paul) with visitation at 11:00AM. Lunch immediately following service and burial at Roselawn Cemetery.

Donations appreciated in his memory to Carpenter Nature Center (carpenternaturecenter.org) or Minnesota Transportation Museum/Jackson Street Roundhouse (trainride.org).

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