RONALD ‘MARTY’ MARTINSON
Sept. 20, 1933 – Feb. 2, 2016
Ronald “Marty” Martinson, 82, of Wheeler, WI died February 2, 2016 at his home after recurring battles with heart disease, cancer and most currently C.O.P.D.
Marty was born September 20, 1933, to Milton and Myrna (Moore) Martinson in Orr, MN.
He attended high school in Menomonie – leaving school to enlist in the army/airforce. He was proud to serve his country from 1950-1954 as a member of the 575th Supply Squadron at Selfridge AFB MI and was stationed in Alaska. Marty was awarded his high school diploma at a special Veterans’ Day ceremony at the Menomonie High School in 2013 – 80 years old!
He married Joan Hintz of Menomonie while in the service and they raised four daughters. Later divorced, he married Jolene Retzloff of Menomonie in 1980 and together they lived in Otter Creek Township on their farm that he cherished–watching the deer, observing the bear and feeding the birds he enticed with his hand-made peanut-butter feeders.
Marty owned and operated Martinson-Sinclair service station in North Menomonie for many years – his expertise was rebuilding car transmissions. Active in the community, he was a member of the Jaycees and president of the Menomonie Softball Association. A race car enthusiast he drove stock cars for several years. A deputy sheriff/investigator for 15 years with Dunn County, he retired in 1989 to spend time on the “horse farm” that he had developed with Jolene—buying & selling horses, tack, trailers and sponsoring horse shows. He developed an interest in camping and loved to travel with siblings; trips to Kamp Knutson at Blake Lake where he could drift on the pontoon with a fish pole in his hand; and, finally spending time at his sawmill sawing logs for his own log cabins in Chetek and creating beautiful pieces from his precious lumber. Cabinetry was his specialty and gifts of boxes, trays and benches for friends were his hobby.
He is survived by his loving wife of 36 years, Jolene; daughters Rhonda Martinson of Minneapolis, Ruth Ann Martinson (Jon Steele) of Florida, Pam (Todd) Utpadel of Downsville, and Patty Martinson-Fassino (Gary Barone) of Strum; brother Milton Jr. (Mary) Martinson of Green Bay; sisters Marlene (Gordon) Hoffmann of Jackson, WI and Sandra Martinson of Eagle River, WI; grandchildren Jeniffer and Derek Fassino and Guy Gusa; many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. Additionally, a dear dog, Charlie.
Preceding him in death are his parents, Milton and Myrna Martinson and ex-wife Joan (Hintz-Martinson) Keller.
A life celebration will be held Friday, February 12, 2016 at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, 910 9th St. E, Menomonie.
Family friend Pastor Don Wisner will officiate; participating pastor will be cousin, Sam Owen, Jr. of Dupree, South Dakota. Visitation is scheduled from 1 – 3 p.m.; with service at 3 p.m. and lunch to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting memorial donations.