Marvin J. Boes
Reverend Father Marvin Boes

Father Marvin Boes is the son of Tony and Matilda (Fleskes) Boes and great grandson of Gerhard and Anna (Nieland) Boes. He was born August 13, 1931, and raised on his parents' farm northwest of Breda, Iowa. He attended secondary school at St Bernard's in Breda and then graduated from St. Benedict's College in Atchison, Kansas and Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, where he received a master's degree. Father's theological studies were at St. Bernard Seminary, Dubuque Iowa. His ordination took place in the Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City by Bishop Joseph M. Mueller on May 26, 1962. He celebrated his first Mass at St. Bernard's Church on May 29, 1962.

Photo: Rev. Marvin Boes, about 1975

Father Boes taught in high school, 3 years at Heelan H.S. in Sioux City and 1 year at Garrigan H.S. in Algona, Iowa. He served as assistant pastor at the Cathedral of the Epiphany for about 4 years. During these years, starting in September 1966, he was part-time Diocesan Coordinator with Minorities, until he was assigned full-time as coordinator in 1973. He was coordinator until he was assigned as pastor of St. Boniface Parish in Sioux City, in 1993.

Starting in June 1963, he served as an Air Force Chaplain in the Iowa Air National Guard at the Sioux City Air Field until his retirement after 23 years of service. During these years, with the federal activation of his guard unit during the Vietnam War, he served as chaplain in the U.S. Air Force from January 1968 to May 1969.

With his retirement from the Air National Guard, Father served as administrator for three years each at St. Philip's Parish in Hornick and St. Casimir's Parish in Sioux City. He then served as pastor five years at St. Boniface Parish in Sioux City and three years at St. Malachy Parish in Madrid, until his retirement in 2001. He also was Director of the Diocesan Peace and Justice Commission, starting in 1985, and has continued in that position after retirement, to this date.

First mass

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