Hardmeyer - City Magazine

Whatever happened to
Marv Kormann?
T
here are some people who come into your
life for a short period of time, but touch it
quite deeply. That can be said about Marv
Kormann.
A farmer at heart, Kormann was born and
raised in Westhope north of Minot, attended St.
Paul Seminary in Minn., and was ordained into
the Roman Catholic priesthood in 1967. He served
parishes in Grand Forks, Langdon, Westhope,
Antler and Maxbass before making the difficult
decision to leave the clergy, get married and return
to farming for the next 13 years.
During that time, Kormann preached in several
Protestant congregations and, in 1981, was accepted
into the clergy of the American Lutheran Church.
He served the Metigoshe congregation for five years
before leaving the farm for Bismarck in 1986.
Kormann says, “Living in Bismarck was an
enriching experience for my family, allowing our
children to complete their education in a great
school system. The congregation at Good Shepherd
was alive, exciting and enthusiastic, and serving
with Rev. Robert Lynne was a thrill. It was just a
great place to raise a family.”
As associate pastor, then senior pastor at Good
Shepherd Lutheran Church, one of Bismarck’s
largest congregations, Kormann did a lot of
counseling in the community. He says being a
Red Cross volunteer during that time was also
meaningful for him. He recalls time spent with his
wife Rose and three kids attending local sporting
events or sledding down Tom O’Leary hill.
By Renae Hoffmann Walker
In May 1995, Kormann accepted a call in
Sioux Falls for five years, then served at a Lutheran
church in a metropolitan area near Detroit. He
says, “Dearborn (population 97,000) has been
a growth-filled experience. About a third of
the people are of Middle Eastern descent. The
Arab population, and a large number of African
Americans and Hispanics, allowed us to see the
world as it really is—diverse in every way.”
Kormann retired this summer. He and Rose
bought a home in Dundas, Minn., close to their
adult children and six grandchildren.
He says, “I was anxious to get back to open
country. I miss the sunsets. People in N.D. don’t
realize how blessed they are to be at the heart of the
land, sky and plains.”
Kormann says he’ll continue to look for ways
to serve and stay active. The grandchildren should
help with that!
NEW NEIGHBOR WELCOME SERVICE
Welcomes you to Bismarck-Mandan
For Free Gifts Contact:
Verdeen at 391-0094 or Ileen at 400-2919
or email us at newneighbors@bis.midco.net
14 thecitymag.com