Memorial
Marvin Gaudian, age 94, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died on Wednesday, August 12, 2015 at Unity Point Health St. Luke’s Hemphill Hospice Unit. Arrangements for cremation are in care of Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home. No visitation or memorial service will be held per his wishes. Please say a prayer for Marv.
Survivors include two brothers: Martin Gaudian of Muskego, Wisconsin and Mel Gaudian of Westminster, Colorado; one sister, Mary Jane Elliott of Chandler, Arizona; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Luvada “Peg” Luhrs Gaudian, who passed away on April 25, 2005, and his parents Albert and Dora Gaudian.
Marvin was born in Paulina, Iowa on September 29, 1920. He attended the Lutheran Parochial Elementary School and graduated with honors from Paulina High School in 1938. Marv was voted all conference Sioux Valley Football center for three consecutive years. He attended the University of Iowa and played in the U of I Marching Band for three years, graduating in 1942. Marv always felt fortunate and proud to have known Nile Kinnick and the Ironmen football team while attending Iowa.
Marvin enlisted in the United States Coast Guard in 1942 and served in World War II until 1946.
He married Luvada “Peg” Luhrs on July 21, 1943 in New London, Connecticut at the Coast Guard Academy.
In 1946 Marv entered graduate school at the University of Iowa and received a Master’s Degree in Marketing Research in 1949. Following his graduation, Peg and Marv moved to Cedar Rapids and remained there until their deaths.
Marv and Peg opened Peg’s Cosmetology Studio in 1952. They remained owners of this salon until 1992 when they leased the salon to a cosmetology group. Marv entered cosmetology school in 1953 and won a hair shaping award the year following his graduation. He was a member of the National Cosmetology Association of Iowa his entire career, serving as President of Affiliate #5 for two years.
Marvin and Peg spent thirty-five winters in Pompano Beach, Florida where Marv’s hobbies included walking the beaches and collecting shells to make craft items. He was a University of Iowa Hawkeye fan, liked fishing, making fish lures, as well as playing bridge and golf. His love for his flower garden and his vegetable garden was widely known. He enjoyed many educational seminars at various places with friends and a glass of wine.
Marvin was proud to be an American, a World War II veteran, and an active member of the Republican Party.
Marvin shed many tears and spent lonely hours for his beloved wife, Peg, and now has joined her once again.
A memorial fund has been established in Marvin’s memory and may be sent to Camp Courageous of Iowa or to the personal choice of the giver.