Martin, Thomas Lynn 1962-2009
MARTIN, FRIESE, OETKEN
Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 3/25/2009 at 15:09:58
Le Mars Daily Sentinel, March 25, 2009
Thomas Lynn Martin, 46, of Pierce, Neb., and a former Le Mars resident, died Monday, March 23, 2009, at Faith Regional Health Services West Campus in Norfolk, Neb.
Thomas Lynn Martin was born Aug. 21, 1962, at Worthington, Minn., the son of Milton and Dorothy (Friese) Martin.
He attended Le Mars Community High School and graduated in 1981. During his high school years he participated in football, basketball, track and baseball. He attended Westmar College in Le Mars and graduated in 1987 with a bachelor's degree in education. He participated in football and track while attending Westmar.
He married Melinda Oetken Aug. 12, 1989, at rural Le Mars.
His career with Pierce Public Schools began in 1989 as a library aide. In the 1991-1992 school year he assumed coaching sports at Pierce High School. In 1994 he took the position as elementary school physical education teacher along with his coaching responsibilities at the high school.
Tom enjoyed vacationing with family, golfing, fishing and hiking. More importantly Tom was a man of God. He loved the Lord and he loved his wife, his family, his friends, his students, the athletes he coached and his co-workers. He touched each of their lives in a special way.
He was baptized as an infant and again Dec. 31, 2006, and attended Christ is King Community in Norfolk, Neb.
Survivors include his wife Melinda Martin of Pierce; his father Milton and his wife Ruth Martin of Le Mars; Three Brothers: Jim and his wife Kerry-Lee Martin of Lisburn, Northern Ireland, Aaron and his wife Katie Lee of Des Moines, and Adam and his wife Amanda Lee of Portland, Ore.; a Sister-in-law, Angela Wilson of Pella; mother and father-in-law Don and Dixie Oetken of Le Mars; three sisters-in-law, Valerie and husband Keith Den Hartog of Sioux Center, Sue and husband Tom Slifko of Winston Salem, N.C.; and LuAnn Collmann of Le Mars; two brothers-in-law, John Oetken of Le Mars and Lance and wife Wendy Oetken of Alton; and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Dorothy Martin; his stepmother, Connie Martin; and two brothers, Mike and Doug.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Zion Lutheran Church in Pierce, Neb. Pastor Fred Gums will officiate. Graveside services will be at 4 p.m. Friday at Memorial Cemetery in Le Mars. Following the commital service, there will be a family gathering from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at Le Mars Bible Church where friends may greet the family.
Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Zion Lutheran Church in Pierce, with a community prayer service at 7 p.m. The Stonacek Memorial Chapel in Pierce is in charge of arrangements.
Pall bearers will be Kirk Holland, Kent Holland, Merle Peterson, Mark Brahmer, Tim Waldner, Gary Shada, Mike Emory and Dan Sitzmann.
Memorials may be directed to the Tom Martin Pierce High School Track Scholarship.
Tombstone Photo
Plymouth Obituaries maintained by Linda Ziemann.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen