Martin Alex Marthaler

Martin Marthaler, age 89, of Marshall, Minnesota, has been called to his first celestial card game on Friday, June 25, 2021. Let the gregarious story telling begin as heaven will be hearing another joke today.

Memorial Mass is 11:00 a.m. Friday, July 2, 2021, at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Marshall. Interment with military honors will follow in the Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. Thursday, July 1, 2021, at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall. The evening begins with a Prayer Service at 4:00 and concludes with the Rosary at 7:45 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service, from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m., on Friday, July 2, 2021, at the church.

Martin Alex Marthaler was born on April 8, 1932, in West Union, Minnesota. He was the son of Martin H. and Catherine (Peternell) Marthaler. Marty grew up on his family farm and was baptized, received first communion, and confirmed at St. Alexius Catholic Church in West Union. He attended school through the eighth grade before working on the family farm until he was 21. Martin then joined the United States Army and served honorably during the Korean War.

Marty met Ms. Alice Winters at a chance encounter at the roller garden. As she struggled with tightening her skates, Martin lent her his key and the rest, as they say, is history. The couple married on October 12, 1953, at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Sauk Centre, Minnesota. They moved 24 times, from Washington, to the Dakotas, to Minnesota and had 8 children, losing 2 as infants. The family has called Marshall home since 1963.

Marty got into selling auto parts early on and genuinely enjoyed talking to others and making connections to anyone he would meet. He also drove truck locally for various chemical companies and the Marshall Independent. He was a proud member of the Marshall American Legion, Knights of Columbus, Ham Radio club, and the McDonald’s breakfast group.

After retiring, Martin was proud to earn his GED and then he and Alice took a memorable trip to Europe for the 50th anniversary of D-Day. The couple also traveled when possible and wintered in New Mexico for 22 years. The master of “Minnesota Good-Byes” was constantly checking in on family and friends, especially over the past couple years. When he was not at the senior center playing cards, Marty was known to go camping, fishing, or sit down with a book about the American West. He loved connecting with his grandchildren, sharing jokes, teasing and doling out chores.

Martin folded his hand on Friday, June 25, 2021, at his home. He reached the age of 89 years, 2 months, and 17 days. Blessed and eternal be his memory.

Marty is survived by his wife of 67 years, Alice Marthaler of Marshall; 5 children, Arlene Marthaler of Minneota, Kenneth Marthaler of Key Largo, FL, Kevin Marthaler of Hampton, VA, Kathleen “Kate” Marthaler of Annapolis, MD, Jolene (Carl) Louwagie of Clarkfield; 10 grandchildren, Jeff (Kassie) Marthaler, Jessica (Robert) Babb, Michelle Marthaler, Kristin Marthaler, Alex Marthaler, Charles “CJ” Marthaler, Brent Louwagie (Shelbie Thomsen), Jack Louwagie, Jarrett Louwagie, Sophia Louwagie; 4 great-grandchildren and another on the way; sister, Beatrice (Fred) Massmann of Sauk Centre; sister-in-law, JoAnn Marthaler of Alexandria; nephews, nieces, other relatives and many friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents; daughters, Karen Marthaler, Mary Marthaler, Marie Marthaler; brothers, Jerome Marthaler and Donald (Kathleen) Marthaler.