Martinson, Ethel Marie (Roney) -- 1917 - 2000

HILL, RONEY, MARTINSON, SPEAR, GREEN, VICK, HANSON, YARWOOD, MCCLAIN, WOLFE

Posted By: IA GenWeb Volunteer
Date: 6/29/2010 at 08:04:16

Decorah Journal, Thursday, December 28, 2000

Ethel Marie Martinson

Ethel Martinson, 83, Decorah, died Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2000 at her daughter's home in Correctionville, Iowa of a sudden illness.

Funeral services are being held Tuesday, Dec. 26 at 11 a.m. at First Lutheran Church in Decorah, with visitation at the church 1 1/2 hours prior to the service. Rev. Steven M. Jacobsen is officiating.

Pallbearers include Lynn Martinson, Bret Rowse, Seth Rowse, Shane Rowse, Eric Spear and Jeff Spear. Honorary Pallbearers are Benjamin Rudolf, Andrew Smeby and Joel Smeby.

Organist is Joel Martinson. The Luren Singing Society will perform "Den Store Hvide Flok," "Beautiful Savior," and "We Shall Walk Through the Valley in Peace."

Burial will be at Lutheran Cemetery, with Fjelstul Funeral Home handling arrangements.

Ethel Marie (Roney) Martinson was born Feb. 4, 1917 in Decorah to Frank and Maggie (Hill) Roney.

She was baptized at the United Methodist Church in Decorah and confirmed at First Lutheran Church in Decorah. She attended Decorah High School and took Normal Training.

On Jan. 23, 1935 she married C. Melvin Martinson in Cresco. They were parents of 2 children.

Ethel Martinson worked at Woolworth for over 25 years, as well as the Ben Franklin and Fareway stores for many years, and then worked in child care.

She was a member of the First Lutheran Church and was active in Altar Guild, Circle, First Lutheran Church Women. She was also Deaconess and a Sunday School teacher.

She also served as a Girl Scout leader and was a member of the Luren Auxiliary and the Sons of Norway. She was also a seamstress, and had a strong commitment to family.

Survivors include her children, Rev. Ronald D. and Marilyn Martinson of Anchorage, Alaska and Cheryl M. and Dennis Spear of Correctionville, and four sisters-in-law: Elva Roney of Rochester; Mary Wolfe of Eau Claire; Mary Martinson of Decorah and Ellen Martinson of Forest City.

Ethel Marie Martinson was preceded in death by her parents, her husband on Oct. 3, 1976, five sisters: Edna Green, Grace Vick, Velma Hanson, Elsie Yarwood, Veda McClain, and two brothers, Lloyd and Wallace Roney.

Transcribed by an IA GenWeb Volunteer from obituaries found in the Howard-Winneshiek Genealogy Society Library, Cresco, Iowa.