KOSSUTH COUNTY – Family of an elderly Northern Iowa man were concerned when he could not be reached, and after police were notified and a search conducted, he was sadly found deceased in a ditch.
On January 29, 2026, at about 2:00 PM, the Kossuth County Sheriff’s Office received a request to help locate 91-year-old Marvin Bollinger of 103 300th Street, located south of Fenton, Iowa. Police said Mr. Bollinger lives alone at this address, and family members had attempted to contact him and could not find him at his residence. Police also said that his vehicle was home and family also discovered he had missed an appointment that was scheduled for January 28.
A deputy assisted in searching the residence and outbuildings and was not able to locate Mr. Bollinger. Family members knew he would take walks every day, so they drove the area. A short time later, Mr. Bollinger was found lying in a ditch about a 1/4 mile away from his residence. Mr. Bollinger did not survive the cold temperatures and was determined to be deceased.
Even though there is no evidence of foul play, the Kossuth County Medical Examiner was contacted, and an autopsy will be completed at the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Ankeny.
The Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Kossuth County Medical Examiner’s Office.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Bollinger family,” the sheriff’s office said.
According to an obituary, “Marvin E Bollinger was born on the family farm near Fenton on March 15, 1934 to Allan and Clarinda (Hengel) Bollinger. He passed away in rural Fenton on January 29, 2026 at the age of 91. Marvin received his education in Fenton, graduating in 1952. Marv was enlisted in the United States Army in 1957 and he was honorably discharged a year later in 1958. He returned home to farm. When Marv was younger he was known in the area for his great skills on the baseball diamond. He continued his love for baseball throughout his adult life, as he enjoyed listening to and attending games with his family. Marv faithfully took a walk every day, although he did slow down in his later years, only walking two miles a day at age 90. He especially enjoyed spending time with his great niece and nephew Avery and Luke.”