Marvin M. Kufahl, age 93 of Minnetonka, MN and Menomonie, WI passed away January 22, 2025 in Minnetonka, MN. Born May 9, 1931 to Max and Norma (Karau) Kufahl in Eau Claire, WI. He attended Eau Claire Memorial High School graduating in 1949. In the fall he enrolled at Eau Claire State College in the area of Pre-Engineering. The following fall he transferred to The Stout Institute in Menomonie, WI. He was drafted into the Army his senior year in 1952 during the Korean conflict serving as Military Police. After basic training he was assigned to Camp Gordon Georgia where he taught military weapons to the basic trainees. In August of 1953 he was assigned to security at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Versailles, France. His claim to fame on this post is that he spoke many times to Field Marshall Montgomery from England and Charles de Gaulle from France while guarding the Generals entrance at the Headquarters.
After returning from service in 1954 he completed the Bachelor of Science Degree from the Stout Institute and Master of Science degree in 1956 from Stout State College. In 1974 he earned his Doctorate in Education specializing in Packaging from Michigan State University.
He was hired at Stout State College in 1956 as an instructor and retired in 1991 as Professor serving the University for 35 years. He began his career teaching Sheet Metal and Foundry in the Industrial Arts program. In 1966 he accepted the assignment to develop and coordinate a new program in Packaging. This program grew to be the second largest program in the nation.
He received several awards which include the Dahlgren Professorship given by UW-Stout in 1987; Prime Mover Award given by the School of Industry and Technology in 1987; in 1991 he was elected Honorary Life Member of the Institute of Packaging Professionals; and in 1995 was inducted into the Packaging Hall of Fame by the Packaging Education Forum. In 2006 he and his teaching partner, Dr Arthur Muller were honored by the faculty and students, naming the packaging laboratory the Kufahl Muller Packaging Laboratory.
Marv was a longtime member of Peace Lutheran Church - singing in the choir, serving on committees and building many projects for the church. He was a superb craftsman and enjoyed his lifelong hobby of woodworking. He and wife Jan spent several winters in Destin, FL enjoying the time away from the snow. He also loved spending time at his son Dave’s cabin in the summer.
In 2020 Marv and Jan moved to a senior living apartment in Minnetonka, MN to be closer to family. Marv’s easy-going manner, helping hands, good sense of humor and welcoming smile endeared him to all who were blessed to know him. He was proud of and always enjoyed spending time with family and especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren. His passing will leave a void that will be hard to fill.
Marv is preceded in death by his parents and sister Joyce Barnes. He is survived by his wife of 69 years Janice, sisters Donna Miller and Shirley (Buzz) Bennett of Eau Claire, WI; sons Dave (Kay) Kufahl of Golden Valley, MN, and Ken (LeeAnne) Kufahl of Brook Park, MN; and daughter Sarah of Brooklyn Park, MN; 5 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Memorial Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, January 31, 2025 at Peace Lutheran Church in Menomonie with Pastor Dave Whelan officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial with military honors by the Menomonie Veterans Honor Guard will take place at Peace Lutheran Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers the family prefers memorials to: UW-Stout or Peace Lutheran Church.
Olson Funeral Home in Menomonie is serving the family.
To share a memory, please visit obituaries at www.olsonfuneral.com.
