Martin "Marty" Kvidera

Martin Roy Kvidera, 70, of St. Paul, Minnesota, formerly of Gladbrook, passed away November 28, 2020, at The Episcopal Church Home in St. Paul, MN. To honor his wishes, cremation rites have been accorded and a public memorial visitation from 1:30 until 3:30 p.m. Saturday afternoon, August 21 2021, at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown. The graveside service and burial will immediately follow at 4:00 p.m. at the Crystal Cemetery, rural Garwin. For further information or to send Marty’s family a condolence, please visit mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234. Marty was born on December 30, 1949 at the Evangelical Hospital in Marshalltown, Iowa. He was the first of three children born to Roy and Betty Jean (Taylor) Kvidera. Marty grew up on the family farm on Highway T-55. This was the beginning of his love for animals. One of his early fun projects was to pick out and raise his Bantey chickens. His very first dog was an English Shepard named “Sox”. Marty attended school at Gladbrook, Iowa. In middle school and high school, he enjoyed playing the saxophone with the band. Some of his first jobs were working at Fallgatter’s Sundries and Central Iowa Bean Mill. He graduated with the class of 1968. After high school, he studied at UNI in Cedar Falls earning a Bachelor’s degree. He worked for Black Hawk County as a child protection social worker, then later as a Juvenile Probation Officer before making his move to St. Paul. There, he began his studies for an MBA, graduating from the University of Minnesota in 1983. Marty began working for the State of Minnesota, first in the health department and then later in the PERA (pension department) before retiring in 2016. In retirement, he enjoyed his time with his doggie “Beau” and working in his yard. A good start to his day was always a cup of tea and Beau close by. Marty had a green thumb with all the beautiful flowers inside his house and in his yard. His neighbors enjoyed and complimented him on how his yard came to life with his plants and flowers. He was very generous as well, always willing to share them with anyone who asked. He also loved sending flowers to his friends and family for special occasions. He made time for friends to eat a meal together, go to a movie, attend an event, play games or play some cards. In the 28 years he lived in his house, he made a home for four adopted dogs. Anyone who knew him, knew the sound of “the Marty laugh”, it was one of a kind! He was a devoted son, brother, uncle and friend, and we will miss him so much. He is survived by his mother, Betty; his sister, Paula (Bob) Goecke, his brother, Mike (Jan) Kvidera all of Marshalltown; his niece, Lynn Goecke of Ankeny; his nephew, Craig Goecke of State Center; and his uncle Lester (Vicky) Taylor of Tucson, Arizona. Preceding him in death was his father, Roy; Grandparents, Jim and Carrie Kvidera and Sam and Willa Taylor. Marty’s final resting place will be in the Crystal Cemetery in rural Garwin. His wish was to be buried with his three previous dogs, Tucker, Toby and Bo. His current dog, Beau, was graciously adopted by his friend, Graham. Lovingly written by his family.