Martins, Donald William 1926-2020

MARTINS, BRANDTMAN, HABERKAMP, NUERING, COWELL, LARSON

Posted By: Connie L. Ellis (email)
Date: 5/9/2020 at 12:36:08

SOURCE: WATERLOO COURIER, newspaper, Waterloo, Iowa
February 2020 (Specific date and page #,unknown)
Contributor: Connie L. Ellis (not related)

Donald William Martins, age 93, of Fairbank, Iowa, died Sunday, February 23, 2020 at the Oelwein Health Care in Oelwein,Iowa. He was born August 27, 1926 in rural Luana, Iowa, son of Leska and Alta (Brandtman) Martins. Donald graduated from the Luana High School in 1950. He enlisted in the United States Army on January 31, 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 he married Mary Haberkamp at Immaculate Conception Church in Fairbank, Iowa. Don and Mary began farming the Haberkamp family farm along with Mary's family.

He was a member of the Fairbank American Legion, serving with the color guard in countless parades and at funerals of fallen service members. In September 2018 he went on the Cedar Valley Honor Flight. Don was also a member of the St. John's Lutheran Church in Fairbank where he served on the church board for many years. His passion was growing crops and raising livestock.He was a very good steward of the land. Don's hobbies included going to tractor pulls, working with cattle, doing field work, and tractorcades.

Services were held at the St. John's Lutheran Church in Fairbank with burial in the Fairbank Cemetery. Military honors were conducted by the Fairbank American Legion Fortsch-Duffy Post # 552.

Donald W. Martins is survived by his son, Doug (Janice) Martins of Fairbank; three grandchildren Garrett, Emily, and Lydia Martins of Fairbank; two sisters, Darlene Nuehring of Postville, Iowa and Della Cowell of Luana, Iowa; a brother, Duane (Marlys) Martins of Waukon and many nieces and nephews.

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