Marvin D. Dahlgren

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Dahlgren, Marvin D. Age 93, lifelong resident of the Twin Cities, passed away at his Roseville home on Friday, April 6, 2018 while in hospice care. Remaining independent almost to the end, his was a life lived to the fullest. He will be greatly missed. Marv leaves a legacy of achievements that is hard to sum up in a few words. He was an iconic figure in the local and national music scene, both as a consummate orchestral and jazz performer and as a teacher and clinician. His career included a nearly 50-year tenure as principal percussionist and assistant timpanist with the Minnesota Orchestra, teaching positions at various universities, and appearances as a drummer and vibraphonist with local and national jazz greats. He was a soloist with the Minnesota Orchestra and the Dallas Symphony, and has many recordings to his credit. Marv was also the owner of a drum shop, author of numerous well-known drum method books, and composer of jazz tunes. In addition to his musical activities, Marv spent 20 years in the Navy, first in active duty as a Corsair fighter pilot during WWII and later in the Navy Reserve. Flying remained his passion even after he retired as lieutenant, and he went on to teach acrobatic flying in his spare time. Marv touched the lives of countless people, not only through his many talents but also with his engaging personality and pleasant demeanor. There was always a twinkle in his eye, a story to be recounted, and a joke to be told. He had a generous spirit, giving freely to multiple charities and chairing and/or organizing hunger relief benefit projects. Marv was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Ida Dahlgren, sisters Lorraine (Lilja) and Eileen (Ctibor), his wife Joan, and his stepson John Stieger. He is survived by his former wife Betty, son Todd (Chris), daughters Lisa (David Maguire) Dahlgren and Lynn (Nicholas) Fergusson, stepson Tom Stieger, stepdaughters Connie Stieger and Mary (Brian) Feist, eight grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and multiple nieces and nephews. A musical Celebration of Life is planned for Sunday, June 17 from 1-5pm at the MacPhail Center for Music, 501 S. 2nd Street, Minneapolis. His final resting place will be at Fort Snelling in honor of his military service. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to one of the following organizations: Second Harvest Heartland, MacPhail Center for Music, American Heart Association. Roseville Memorial Chapel 651-631-2727

Published on April 15, 2018