Marvin P. Knoll

Marv Knoll, 86, of Bismarck, formerly of Dickinson, passed away on Saturday June 8th, 2024. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, June 21st at Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, 519 Raymond Street, Bismarck. 

Visitation will be on Thursday, June 20th from 5-6:30 pm, with a prayer service starting at 6:30, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck.

Marv Knoll was born in Mandan on March 29, 1938, the eldest of five children born to Phillip and Stephina Knoll. He was raised in Mandan, graduating from high school in 1956. His favorite activity was basketball and he could be found shooting baskets whenever he had a chance. Marv was a star player at Mandan High School and in college at Dickinson State, where he was later inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame. After completing college, Marv’s first job was in Cando, ND as a teacher and basketball coach. He married Kathleen Kilzer in 1961 and they lived in Watford City, where he continued teaching high school and coaching. They also started their family in Watford City, where Joan, David, and Ron were born in a span of three years. They then moved to Dickinson where they had their fourth child, Sean. Marv taught and coached at Dickinson High School, where he also worked in several administrative positions, including assistant principal, business manager, and athletic director. Marv valued his career in education and positively influencing young people. He was a wonderful role model, and being a father came naturally. He demonstrated and taught his children respect, integrity, and compassion. 

Later in Marv’s life, he met Gloria Pearson. They married on June 15, 1991. In addition to his wonderful wife, Marv gained four stepchildren, Kris, James, Erik and Erin, who he embraced and loved. Aside from spending time with family, Marv and Gloria enjoyed tennis, spectator sports, traveling, and dinner parties with friends. Over the years, they have been blessed with twenty grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Marv was the rock of the family and loved being with his grandchildren, who called him “Papa.” 

Marv was soft-spoken, kind, patient, and intelligent. His faith was a guiding force in his life. He appreciated the many blessings in his life and lived graciously. As we bid farewell, solace is taken in the memories we hold dear, the laughter we shared, and the wisdom Marv imparted in his kind and gentle way. He will be deeply missed.

Marv is survived by his wife, Gloria Knoll; his sons, David (Joan) Knoll, Ron (Lori) Knoll, and Sean (Julie) Knoll; his stepchildren, Kris (Rich) Cleary, James (Angie) Pearson, Erik Pearson, and Erin Pearson; his siblings, Janice Feeney, Sylvia Zachmeier, Paul (Susan) Knoll, and Steph (Cal) Volk; his grandchildren, Jack, Reid, Cameron, Lauren, Christopher, Sierra, Evan, Chase, Casey, Elle, Shelby, Alex, Issy, Caden, Ben, Katryna, Anthony, Noam, Levi, and Emersyn; and two great-grandchildren, Luka and Ember.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Phillip and Stephina Knoll, and daughter, Joan Dymand Hintz. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, www. michaeljfox.org; or Ministry on the Margins, ministryonthemargins.org.