Emerson C. Martin

MARTIN, JACKSON, FRESE, SHEPARD, SMITH, FERGUSON, RIEBER

Posted By: Tara (email)
Date: 3/23/2010 at 10:33:47

Emerson C. Martin, 50, of North Liberty, died suddenly on Wednesday, March 17, 2010. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11 am Saturday, March 20 at the North Liberty First United Methodist Church, 85 N Jones Blvd. A gathering for family and friends will be from 5-7pm on Friday at Lensing’s Oak Hill, 210 Holiday Road in Coralville. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to The Emerson Martin Memorial Fund.
Emerson was born in Ft. Dodge, IA on July 11, 1959, the son of James and Marilyn (Jackson) Martin. He grew up in Duncombe, IA and graduated from Webster City High School in 1977. On June 9, 1979, Emerson was united in marriage to Traci Frese in Davenport. Emerson and Traci continued to live in Webster City, where he worked for several years in Restaurant Management. In 1985, they moved to North Liberty in order for Emerson to be the first heart transplant recipient in the state of Iowa which was performed at The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Following the transplant, Emerson earned his BBA from the University of Iowa.
Emerson’s quick wit will truly be missed by his family. He coached his daughters’ softball teams for over 9 years and enjoyed spending time with all of his family, especially playing pool and making silly dance videos with his daughter Emily and watching his two grandsons Evan and Eli. In his spare time, Emerson loved to watch NASCAR, Hawkeye games, visit casinos and take care of his three dogs.
Survivors include his wife Traci of North Liberty, three daughters: Mandy (Jason ) Shepard of North Liberty, Ashley (Adam) Smith of Cedar Rapids and Emily Martin of North Liberty; his mother Marilyn Martin of Boone, IA, three brothers: James (Marlys) Martin of Glenwood, IA, Roy (Beverly) Martin and David (Lisa) Martin all of Boone, IA; two sisters: Connie (Jeremy) Ferguson of Boone, IA and Lois (David) Rieber of Iowa Falls, IA; two grandsons: Evan and Eli Smith and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father.