Mike Martinsen, 04 Mar 1955 - 27 Feb 2021

MARTINSEN, PINS, OLSEM, KARR, KELLER, CASEY, HAAS, TITUS, NIELSEN, RINIKER, ENGELKEN, ULRICH, HAWKER

Posted By: Sarah Witte (email)
Date: 3/4/2021 at 15:04:04

Mike Martinsen, 65, of Monticello, Iowa passed away on Saturday, February 27, 2021 after a four-year journey with Renal Cancer, at Monticello Nursing Home & Rehab in Monticello, IA.

Visitation for Mike will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 4, 2021 at the Reiff Funeral Home, in Cascade, Iowa. Social distancing will be followed, as recommended by federal and state guidelines. Face masks are required to attend the visitation. Per Mike’s request please wear casual dress.

Private funeral services for Mike will be held Friday, March 5, 2021 at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, Monticello, IA with Pastor Dave Raemisch presiding. Services will be live streamed at 1 p.m., at the Reiff Funeral Home Inc. Facebook page. Burial will be held in the Oakwood Cemetery in Monticello, IA.

He was born on March 4, 1955 in Monticello, Iowa, son of Laurence and Leona (Fothergill) Martinsen. He graduated from the Monticello Community Schools. He was united in marriage on October 27, 1989, to Diane (Pins) Olsem at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Monticello, IA. Mike was a Machinist at Energy Manufacturing for 45 years until his retirement in 2018.

Mike was a thoughtful, honest, and loyal person to those he loved. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather. His three granddaughters were truly the apple of his eye. Mike was an avid woodworker, golfer, and fishermen, and loved his annual fishing trips to Birchwood, WI.

He is survived by his wife, Diane Martinsen of Monticello; a son, Adam (Heidi Karr) Olsem of Cedar Rapids, and their daughter, Penelope; a daughter, Ashley (Mike) Keller of Amana, and their daughters Makayla and Olivia; one brother, Laurence "Marty" (Mary Anne) Martinsen of Peoria, AZ; one sister, Pat (Bill) Casey of Alburnett; two brothers-in-law, Greg Haas of Bluegrass, and Paul (Kay Titus) Nielsen of Anamosa; Father and Mother-in-law, Eldon and Marilyn Pins of Dyersville; sisters and brothers-in-law, Judy (Randy) Riniker of Luxemburg, Carol (Pat) Engelken of New Vienna, and Beth (Doug) Ulbrich of Luxemburg; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Sharon Nielsen and Lynne Haas; and a brother-in-law, Larry Hawker.

Instead of flowers a Michael J. Martinsen memorial fund has been established, Mike’s wishes these funds will be used to place Buddy Benches in the Monticello Community and at his granddaughter’s schools. Anyone interested in sending memorials may send them to Reiff Funeral Home, Attention: Mike Martinsen Family at P.O. Box #430, Cascade, Iowa, 52033.

You may view the Video Tribute and online condolences may be sent to the family at www.reifffuneralhomeinc.com

Published in The Gazette on March 2, 2021.