Walter T. Martin, 84, of Dakota City, passed away March 7, 2011 at the Humboldt Care Center North. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday in the chapel of the Mason-Lindhart Funeral Home in Humboldt with the Rev. Walden Paige officiating. Interment will be in Indian Mound Cemetery, Humboldt with full military honors by the V.F.W. Post 4250 and American Legion Post 119. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Mr. Martin is survived by his wife, Mary; children, Scott Martin of Humboldt, Kelly Martin of Humboldt, Dana Martin of Fort Dodge, Shawn Benz of Humboldt, and Barbara Sweetman of Colorado Springs, CO; 8 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren; brothers, John Martin of Faribault, MN, and Darrell Martin of Duluth, MN; sisters, Marilyn Kleppie of Eagle Grove, Kay Cook of Richmond, MN, and Darlene Lindley of Alexander, MN. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Maxine Carlson; and brother, Carl Martin.
Walter Teems Martin was born August 21, 1926 at Eagle Grove, Iowa. As a child, the family moved to Mason City where Walter completed his education. He then helped his father with the family farming operations until enlisting into the United States Army during the Korean War. Walter served in a tank division as a Sargent in Korea and following his honorable discharge returned home. On June 26, 1954 he was united in marriage to Mary Englebritson at the Methodist Church in Mason City. The couple made their homes in the communities of Mason City, Eagle Grove, Osage, Goldfield, and LuVerne where Walter worked as a carpenter building many fine homes. The family then moved to Dakota City where he continued his carpentry work until his retirement at the age of 62. In his retirement, Walter loved to fish and enjoyed helping his children with remodeling projects. He enjoyed collecting cars, which usually included a new pick up every year. He was a member of the Faith United Methodist Church.