Marvin William Schaus, age 91, passed away and entered his Heavenly Home on Monday, April
20, 2026, with family at his bedside at PIH Hospital in Downey, CA. He was born on August 6,
1934, the son of Arthur and Amelia (Pomrenke) Schaus. Marvin was baptized into God’s family
on August 16, 1934, at Trinity-Lone Oak Lutheran Church of Eagan, MN and confirmed his faith
in Christ on May 9, 1948, at Zion Lutheran Church of Maywood, CA. As he faithfully followed
Jesus, that journey led him into ministry both in the United States and across the world.
Marvin attended Zion Lutheran School in Maywood, CA through eighth grade (June 1948),
Concordia High School in Seward, NE (June 1952), and completed his teaching B.S. degree at
Concordia Teachers College in Seward, NE (May 1956).
Marvin taught most elementary and junior high grades over several decades, in addition to
being church organist and choir director for both school and church. He also served several
years as school principal. Throughout 25 years of ministry in CA, Marvin taught at Grace
Lutheran School in Los Angeles, St. Paul’s Lutheran School in Pomona, and Good Shepherd
Lutheran School in Downey.
On December 21, 1968, he married the love of his life, Shirley J. Schaus at First Lutheran Church
in Venice, CA. They were blessed with three sons Timothy (stillborn August 6, 1972), Nathan
and Jonathan. He greatly enjoyed his three grandchildren: Anna, Timothy, and Rachel Schaus.
Marvin is survived by his sons Nathan and Jonathan; his daughter-in-law Elizabeth; his three
grandchildren; and nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. He was preceded in
death by his parents, his wife and his brother, Harold Schaus.
Marvin and his wife, Shirley, served as Bible-translation missionaries with Lutheran Bible
Translators (LBT) for the Gola people in Liberia, West Africa, beginning in February 1982 until
they retired from ministry with LBT in 2002. This vital bible translation work was carried on by
others in Liberia so that the Gola New Testament was ultimately dedicated in Tubmanburg,
Liberia on March 8, 2020. Marvin and Shirley were overjoyed and humbled that God used them
as a part of this undertaking.
A memorial service will take place at 11:00am on Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at Good Shepherd
Lutheran Church in Downey, CA with a luncheon to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts
may be given to Lutheran Bible Translators at lbt.org (dedicated to Marvin Schaus) or to Good
Shepherd Lutheran Church (mail: 13200 Columbia Way, Downey, CA 90242; or Zelle: using
goodshepherddowney@yahoo.com to complete your transaction).