Donald William Martins

BRANDTMAN, COWELL, HABERKAMP, LARSON, MARTINS, NUEHRING

Posted By: Cindy (email)
Date: 12/2/2021 at 18:49:09

Donald William Martins, 93, of Fairbank died Sunday February 23rd at Oelwein Health Care in Oelwein Iowa.

He was born on August 27th, 1926 in rural Luana Iowa, the son of Leska and Alta (Brandtman) Martins . Donald went to country school at the Grand Meadow No. 3 and graduated from Luana High School in 1950. He enlisted in the US Army on Jan. 31st 1951. He served in Germany, being awarded the Army of Occupational Medal and the National Defense Service Medal, until Honorable discharge in January 1954.

On December 29, 1954 Don was united in marriage to Mary Haberkamp at Immaculate Conception Church in Fairbank. Don and Mary began farming the Haberkamp family farm along with Mary’s family. Don’s passion was growing crops and raising livestock, he was a very good steward of the land. He was an active and very proud member of the Fairbank American Legion for many years. He served with the color guard in countless parades and at funerals of fallen service members. In Sept. 2018 he was a member of the Cedar Valley Honor Flight. Don was a longtime member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Fairbank, where he served on the church board many years. Don’s hobbies included going to tractor pulls, working with cattle, doing field work, and tractorcades. He was a successful farmer and loved visiting with area farmers and neighbors about all things farm.

Don is survived by his son Doug (Janice) Martins of Fairbank: three grandchildren, Garrett, Emily, and Lydia Martins of Fairbank and a sister in law Wilma Haberkamp of Fairbank. sisters Darlene Nuehring of Postville, Ia.,. Della Cowell of Luana, Ia, a brother Duane (Marlys) Martins of Waukon, Ia. and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents and his wife Mary Martins, three brothers: Delbert Martins (wife Donna), Delos Martins (wife Donna Mae) and Dwight Martins, a sister, Delores Larson (husband Harry) and brothers in law; Eldred Nuehring and William Haberkamp and a sister in law; Josephine Haberkamp.

Funeral Services: 10:30 am Saturday, February 29, 2020 at St. John’s Lutheran Church , Fairbank, Iowa.

Visitation: 4:00-7:00 pm Friday February 28 at Woods Funeral Home and for one hour before services Friday at the church.

Military Honors: Fairbank American Legion Fortsch-Duffy Post 552

Interment: Fairbank Cemetery

Memorials: to the family for later designation.