We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Marvin Lee Hanson, husband, dad, grandpa, brother, and friend.
Marvin was born June 8, 1936, in Emmet County, IA, to Vivian (Bartleman) Hanson and Lester Arthur Hanson. He passed away quietly at his home in Ojai, CA, at the age of 89 years with his family and his sweet dog Emma by his side on Thursday, April 2, 2026.
He graduated from Estherville high school in the class of 1954, and always looked forward to their reunions in Estherville. Marvin enlisted in the US Marine Corps in 1954 and achieved the rank of Corporal S.P., serving in Point Mugu, CA, from 1954-1957. On May 4, 1957, he was married to Patty Hollingsworth in Ventura, CA. They went on to make a home in Ojai, where they enjoyed almost 69 years of marriage.
Marvin was a family man who valued his job and service to others. He started out as a surveyor then. In 1969 he began a career as a hydrographer with the County of Ventura until his retirement. He absolutely loved his job and valued his friendship with his coworkers. Even in the last couple weeks of his life, we still needed to measure the rainfall on his gage in the backyard and write on the calendar just how much came down.
Along with a good work ethic he loved to serve others. He joined the Meiners Oaks Lions Club in 1970 and for years worked tirelessly on more projects than we can even count. He and Patty were given the honorary service award from the California Congress of Parents and Teachers in 1973 in recognition of their service to children and youth.
He was also known for his love of baseball. We were so blessed to have watched his beloved Dodgers win the World Series one more time prior to his death. With his love for the game, he spent 10 years working with the Ojai Valley Boys Baseball organization, teaching them that with good sportsmanship, team effort, and lots of practice you can be a winner in life. His biggest pleasure was seeing the boys he’d coached on the street as successful adults and knowing that it was time well spent.
He served 10 years with the Nordhoff High School Booster Club where he helped build the first snack bar. With the profits made during the games, funds were generated to support many student activities. Every game, he was there, cooking burgers and serving hungry fans. When he retired from the booster club, he was proud that the School District gave him a lifetime pass for all sporting activities.
He then began serving on the Help of Ojai Board of Directors. He dearly loved the organization and volunteered for many years, doing various jobs. One he particularly enjoyed was driving the Help of Ojai van taking his passengers to doctor appointments, grocery shopping, and his favorite, the Ventura County Fair. He said his passengers became like family to him.
When he slowed down a bit physically, he still enjoyed a busy life. He went on to become a member of the board operating the Casitas Municipal Water District, as well as the Ventura River Water District and the Ojai Valley Sanitary District boards.
Left to cherish Marvin‘s memory are his wife, Patty, children Tammi (John) Skiba, Lori, (Carl) Hipskind, grandchildren Kaylee (fiancé Mario Gil), Carly (Sequoia) Skiba-Sherk. Siblings Shirley Kittleson, Ron (Connie) Hanson, Charlotte (Mike) Martin, sisters-in-law, Karen Hanson and Sandra Hanson and lots of nieces and nephews.
Preceding Marvin in death are his parents, brothers Alan, Wendell and Wayne, brothers-in-law Gilbert Kittleson and Ron Hollingsworth, sister-in-law Jeanne Hanson, nephews Greg Kittleson and Coleton Hanson and niece Leslie Anderson.
Marvin would love to be remembered as a hard worker, a family man, and what we liked to call him, Handy Hanson, always there to help a friend or neighbor in need. If you are so inclined, we ask that you donate in his honor to Help of Ojai. There will be no memorial service, as we will sprinkle his ashes in the ocean on a good fishing trip. We just ask that you remember him with kindness and love.
