Marvin Lee Kaiser died on the evening of Saturday, March 21, 2026.  Marvin was a lawyer, businessman, and philanthropist whose life and career were deeply rooted in North Dakota and later extended to Arizona. Although a tough-as-nails businessman and attorney, Marv always longed to be a cowboy, and he carried with him a deep love for the American West.

A proud native of North Dakota, Marv was born in Fargo to Leopold and Selina Kaiser on March 15, 1943. He graduated from Central High School in Fargo in 1961 and went on to attend the University of North Dakota, where in 1964 he earned a Bachelor of Business Degree, and in 1966 a Master of Science Degree in Accounting. In 1969 he graduated from the University of North Dakota School of Law.

In 1972, Marv married Lillian Walters in Williston, North Dakota, and together they raised two daughters, Shannon and Susie. As a lawyer and businessman Marv built a successful career, particularly in the oil industry, and in 1981 he founded his well-servicing company, Sun Well Service, Inc. 

Marv was a natural leader and dedicated philanthropist. During his time at the University of North Dakota, he served as president of the Sigma Nu fraternity (1964-1965) and remained actively involved in its fundraising efforts throughout his life. He was instrumental in navigating the chapter through its darkest of times and lived to see his support come full circle at the 100th anniversary celebration. 

In Williston, he contributed his time and leadership to numerous organizations, including the Rotary Club and United Way, where he served as president. He was passionate about golf and led the “Save Red Mike” project, which helped preserve the North Dakota Links golf course—an effort he saw as both a way to protect one of the country’s finest courses and to celebrate the rich regional history tied to the nearby Lewis and Clark Trail.

Marv’s passion for Western history was lifelong and profound. An avid reader and enthusiastic supporter of historical preservation, he was involved with numerous organizations and museums. Marv became President of the State Historical Board for the North Dakota Historical Society and helped lead the expansion of the North Dakota Heritage Center and State Museum in 2007.  He also played a significant role in the reconstruction of Fort Union Trading Post near Williston, now part of the National Park System, contributing to fundraising, infrastructure development, and key relationships that helped bring the project to life. During development of the site, Marv played a crucial role in the construction of necessary entrance roads and parking facilities, and in making important connections with political leaders and the heirs of John Jacob Astor. Marv and his daughter, Susie enjoyed several summers engaging in “Rendezvous” historical reenactments both prior to the reconstruction of Fort Union and after.

In 1997, Marv married Joyce Winden in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. After semi-retiring in the early 2000s, Marv and Joyce started splitting their time between Williston and Scottsdale, Arizona. Joyce passed away from cancer in 2010. 

In 2011, Marv married Jane Kiker. In western movie fashion, he married the ranch owner’s daughter from the cattle ranch where he worked as a young man. Together they raised Jane’s two children, Elizabeth “Gus” and Charles in Prescott, Arizona.

In Prescott, Marv became deeply involved with the Prescott Historical Society and the Sharlot Hall Museum. He served two consecutive terms on the museum’s Board from 2019 to 2025 and was President of the Board from 2023 to 2025. In this role, he was instrumental in restructuring staff and operations, leaving a lasting impact on the institution. His passion for history was, to all who knew him, contagious.

In later years, Marv continued to expand his contributions to historical organizations. He joined the Advisory Board of the Buffalo Bill Museum at the Center of the West in Cody, Wyoming, in 2016. He became a Trustee in June 2024, serving on its marketing committee. He was also active in the Western History Association, serving on its Financial Advisory Committee from 1996 to 2005, often as chair, where his leadership helped strengthen the organization’s financial standing. He was a long-time member of the Westerners Chapter in Prescott.

As president of the MJ Kaiser Foundation, Marv continued his family’s legacy of supporting charitable organizations that enrich communities. In Prescott, he was a member of Talking Rock Golf Club, supported the Boys & Girls Club, and even spent time coaching his son’s high school golf team. In North Dakota, he was a substantial contributor to the Medora Foundation, as well as the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, currently under construction near Medora.

Marv was truly a citizen of the world. He had a gift for making friends wherever he went, taking great joy in meeting fellow North Dakotans in the most unexpected places. He traveled widely and found his greatest happiness in sharing those experiences with his children, showing them the wonders of the world.

Above all, Marv will be remembered as one of the smartest, warmest, and most generous of souls.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Jane; his four children, Shannon Kaiser Street (Shane), Susie Kaiser Posey, Elizabeth Augusta Salvato (Nick), and Charles Russell Longacre (Theadora); his four grandchildren, Kaitlin Taylor Street, Gracee Caroline Street, Finn Posey and Theodore Salvato; and a wide circle of friends whom he cherished deeply.