Donald E. Martens

Donald E. Martens, age 86 of Le Sueur, died Monday, July 2, 2018 at the Benedictine Living Community in St. Peter. Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 6 at St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Henderson with Rev. Deb Meyer officiating. Visitation will be from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 5 at the church in Henderson and also one hour prior to service time on Friday. Interment will be in Mound Cemetery in Le Sueur following the luncheon in Henderson. Military rites will be provided by the Henderson American Legion. Don was born on April 29, 1932 to Ernest and Olga (von Lehe) Martens in Le Sueur County. He graduated from Le Sueur High School in 1950 and attended Dunwoody school. He was in the US Army from the beginning of 1953 to the end of 1954. Don married JoAnne Isenberg on May 20, 1956 in the Congregational Church in Gaylord. He farmed until 1972, and then worked for Easterlund Implement, and finished his career at Siemon Implement of Belle Plaine. He was a member of the United Church of Christ in Winthrop when they lived there, the Zion U.C.C. in Le Sueur, and lastly St. Paul's U.C.C. in Henderson. He was a long time member of the Sibley County Farm Bureau, and the American Legion of Henderson. Don enjoyed fishing, hunting, bowling, and playing horse shoes. He and JoAnne would attend all of the sporting events for the Le Sueur Henderson Giants, and were even named the ‘Biggest LSH Sports Fans'. Don will be greatly missed by all who knew him, but he will always be remembered for his witty humor, and fun personality. He is survived by his wife, JoAnne; children, Karen (Mark) Brandt of Gaylord, Patti (David Carter) Martens-Carter of Eden Prairie, Greg (Mary) Martens of Apple Valley, and Karla (Jeff) Maurer of North Mankato; grandchildren, Staci (significant other, Andy Wherley) Brandt, Jacob (Stephanie) Brandt, Sarah (fiancé, Jared Fischer) Carter, Ashley (Matt) Dahms, Dan Martens, Jeanne (John) Maurer Schlack, Michael Maurer, and Anne Maurer; great-grandchildren, Avery Martens, Bennett Dahms, Owen Brandt, and Lincoln Brandt; brothers, Kenneth (Doris) Martens of Gaylord, and David (Kay) Martens of Buffalo. He is preceded in death by his parents.