Marvin “Mert” A. Banzhaf

Marvin “Mert” A. Banzhaf

March 28, 1942 - Dec. 5, 2018

CAMBRIDGE, Neb. — Marvin “Mert” A. Banzhaf, age 76, of Cambridge, passed away Dec. 5, 2018, at the Bertrand Nursing Home in Bertrand, Neb. He recently moved to the nursing home on Nov. 27, 2018, when living alone was not safe.

He was born near Orafino, Neb., on March 28, 1942, to Walter and Margaret (Allen) Banzhaf. Marvin attended school at Orafino through eighth grade and graduated from Cambridge High School in 1960.

He was employed for several years by the Cambridge Irrigation District. In 1965, Marvin joined the Nebraska National Guard and served until 1971. He returned to farming in 1972, and moved out to his uncle’s farm that same year. After retiring in 1997, they moved to Cambridge. Marvin continued to work as a crop adjuster for Agra National until 2014.

He was united in marriage to Norma Lamb on Nov. 26, 1960. To this union a daughter, Shauna, was born. Mert enjoyed farming, his cattle, hunting pheasants, turkey, deer and coyotes with his hounds. He restored antique tractors and was in the Guinness World Book of Record for the World’s longest tractorcade. He loved to spend time with family and his grandchildren’s events.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Ronnie Banzhaf; parents-in-laws, Chet and Lucille Lamb; brother-in-law, Bernard Wickizer; and nephew, Chet Wickizer.

Marvin is survived by his wife, Norma of Cambridge; daughter, Shauna and husband, Jeff Wilken, of Smithfield; grandchildren, Cheyenne and husband, Michael Fitzgerald, of Axtell and Wyatt Wilken of Smithfield; two brothers, Roger Banzhaf and wife, Norma, of Berthoud, Colo., and Norman Banzhaf and wife, Carole, of Apache Junction, Ariz.; and sisters-in-law, Ardyth Banzhaf and Shirley Wickizer, both of Cambridge.

Memorial services will be Thursday, Dec. 13, 2018, at 2 p.m., at the Congregational Church in Cambridge with Bill Weaver officiating. Inurnment will be in the St. John’s Catholic Cemetery with Father Ken Wehrs.

Memorials may be left in his name at Lockenour Jones Mortuary in Cambridge. Friends may leave online condolences at lockenour.com.

Lockenour-Jones Mortuary is entrusted with services.