Charles F. Martens
July 2, 1927 — January 15, 2015
Charles Frank Martens was born on July 2, 1927, to John and Angeline (Rohlfs) Martens near rural Modale, Iowa, and spent his early childhood on a farm near Logan, Iowa. In 1935, his father quit farming and moved the family to Star, Idaho.
During his teens he worked at various jobs. One was with his father helping build the army base at Mountain Home, Idaho, and another was caring for a 200-head dairy herd at the age of sixteen. His father passed away in 1939, which prompted him to return to Iowa where he worked for an uncle on his farm.
In 1945, he enlisted in the Navy and was stationed in Norman, Oklahoma, and also was a part of the Reserves until 1954. While in the Reserves, he farmed for his uncle around Missouri Valley, Iowa, and worked on a bridge crew out of Logan.
On January 6, 1951, he married Marlys Paulsen. After a year of marriage, they moved to her parents farm northeast of Walnut, Iowa, where he farmed and they raised their three children: Gary, Hal, and Lisa. They recently celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary.
His grandchildren were his pride and joy. They were first priority and could do no wrong in his eyes, but he also instilled strong values in them that he expected to be followed.
He loved traveling in the camper and 5th wheel trailer with family and friends and was always ready to “get on the road again”. He spent time visiting the Western United States but his favorite trips were to Alaska.
Charles died on Thursday, January 15, 2015 at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan, Iowa, having attained the age of eighty-seven years, six months, and thirteen days. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Merle Walsh, and brothers John, Les, Bob, and Clifford Martens.
He is survived by his wife Marlys Martens of Walnut, Iowa; sons Gary Martens and his wife Betty of Walnut, Iowa, and Hal Martens and his wife Deborah of Eagle River, Alaska; daughter Lisa Thomas of Soldotna, Alaska; six grandchildren: Makenzie, Brent, Maggie, Anna, Logan, and Taeryn; two great-grandchildren: Drayden and Logan; sisters Alita Stichler of Council Bluffs, Iowa and Bess Ryan of Modesto, California; other family members and friends.
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During his teens he worked at various jobs. One was with his father helping build the army base at Mountain Home, Idaho, and another was caring for a 200-head dairy herd at the age of sixteen. His father passed away in 1939, which prompted him to return to Iowa where he worked for an uncle on his farm.
In 1945, he enlisted in the Navy and was stationed in Norman, Oklahoma, and also was a part of the Reserves until 1954. While in the Reserves, he farmed for his uncle around Missouri Valley, Iowa, and worked on a bridge crew out of Logan.
On January 6, 1951, he married Marlys Paulsen. After a year of marriage, they moved to her parents farm northeast of Walnut, Iowa, where he farmed and they raised their three children: Gary, Hal, and Lisa. They recently celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary.
His grandchildren were his pride and joy. They were first priority and could do no wrong in his eyes, but he also instilled strong values in them that he expected to be followed.
He loved traveling in the camper and 5th wheel trailer with family and friends and was always ready to “get on the road again”. He spent time visiting the Western United States but his favorite trips were to Alaska.
Charles died on Thursday, January 15, 2015 at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan, Iowa, having attained the age of eighty-seven years, six months, and thirteen days. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Merle Walsh, and brothers John, Les, Bob, and Clifford Martens.
He is survived by his wife Marlys Martens of Walnut, Iowa; sons Gary Martens and his wife Betty of Walnut, Iowa, and Hal Martens and his wife Deborah of Eagle River, Alaska; daughter Lisa Thomas of Soldotna, Alaska; six grandchildren: Makenzie, Brent, Maggie, Anna, Logan, and Taeryn; two great-grandchildren: Drayden and Logan; sisters Alita Stichler of Council Bluffs, Iowa and Bess Ryan of Modesto, California; other family members and friends.
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