Marvin T. Naas

Marvin T. Naas, 64 of Devils Lake, ND passed away on Thursday, March 30, 2017 at Altru Hospital, Grand Forks, ND in the loving care of his family. Marvin Tracy Naas was born May 16, 1952 in Cooperstown, ND, the son of Lester and Harriet (Ronningen) Naas. He grew up north of Kloten, ND and attended Kloten Public School and McVille High School, playing baseball, basketball and football.  Marvin was baptized and confirmed at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, attended Sunday School and remained a life member. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Business at the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks.  Marvin reveled in all things UND Fighting Sioux, forming “forever” friendships with Walsh Hall buddies and suite mates, cheering on the Fighting Sioux hockey and basketball teams, pulling pranks and enjoying dorm life. Marvin worked for his uncle Irving Naas on the farm, sold a smoke alarm or two and was employed by the North Dakota Highway Department while waiting for THE call.  When it came, he began his 30 year career with United Parcel Service as a member of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 638 out of Devils Lake and Rugby, earning safe driving awards along the way.  In Rugby, he met the love of his life, Cindy Heisler. Marvin combined his keen observational skills with his never-ending fascination with people, nature and weather. He collected friends and relatives from all parts of his life and blended them into his own “family by choice”. He blessed them with loyalty, adventures, campfire talks, his famous chili, motorcycle rides, cruising around Red Willow, Lake  Sakakawea and Devils Lake, insights, deep affection, nature photographs, acting as an unofficial fishing guide to many. Marvin often could be found at area courts, fields, rinks or stages enjoying Jamie, Mason and Bryar’s games, music and drama productions.  Marvin’s love and creativity shone brightest when he helped those he cared for through the years; as Cindy battled leukemia, his Dad’s fight with cancer, his devotion to his mother –every day he planned a special adventure checking growing plants, deciphering frost formations on the kitchen window, enjoying a wheelchair ride to hear the geese overhead, sending a memory lantern skyward on Dad’s birthday, ending with a Dove chocolate on her pillow at night. At the clinic he was recognized as the proud leader of “Harriet’s entourage”.  Marvin is survived by his fiance’s children Mitch Heisler (Danielle Petersen) Mohall, ND and Nici Heisler, Colorado Springs, Co and their children Hannah, Carson, Addyson, Linkyn and Romeyn; sisters Linda Kay Naas and Bonnie (Ed) Grimes all of Grand Forks; nephew Jamie Grimes, Fisher, MN; great nephews Mason Grimes (Bailey Solheim), Climax, MN and Bryar Grimes, Grand Forks; aunts and uncles Avis and Willard Van Wechel, Mayville, ND, Tracy and Rosalie Naas, Lisbon and McVille, ND plus many cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his fiancé Cindy Heisler; mother Harriet on January 6, 2017; father Lester May 6, 2005; grandparents Mansfield and Hazel (Rickford) Ronningen and Tom and Agness (Drengson) Naas; niece-in-law Karla Grimes on February 1, 2017 and cousin Vickie Van Wechel Cleveland, September 30, 2016. Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, April 6, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Kloten, ND. Burial will be in the Our Savior's Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Wednesday, April 5th from 4:00 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. with a Time of Remembrance and Prayer at 6:30 p.m. Visitation on Thursday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Pallbearers for Marvin will be cousins Barbara Naas Adrian, Duane Naas, Ginny Naas Mueller, Lyndel Van Wechel, Mike Naas and Terry Naas and great nephews Mason Grimes and Bryar Grimes. Honor Escort will be Honorary Members of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local #638 and UPS Retirees. Honorary Bearers will be Kloten, McVille and UND Friends. Music will be provided by Wendel and Ruth Van Wechel, Norean and Gary Hoots and Mary Lou Krogh.  Reading Scripture will be Jamie Grimes with a special tribute by Mitch Heisler.