Max D. Martinsen

Max D. Martinsen, the son of Gabe and Bertha (Wendte) Martinsen, was born in Ponca, NE on June 23, 1926. He received his education in Nebraska, and graduated from Newcastle High School in 1943. He proudly served his country with the U.S. Army Infantry during the Korean Conflict, and was stationed in Korea from 1949-1953 before his honorable discharge. He was united in marriage to Mary Lou Richards on May 7, 1949, in Ft. Smith, AR. Max and Mary Lou farmed in Newcastle before relocating to Iowa in 1961 and farmed near Aurelia. Max thoroughly enjoyed being a farmer, and he loved his John Deere tractors. He always made special time for his family. In addition to his work on the farm, he spent 21 years at Wilson Foods in Cherokee. He enjoyed golfing, fishing, playing cards and going to casinos. Some of his favorite times were spent traveling, including a trip to Ireland in 1990. He was a member of I.C. Catholic Church and a lifetime member of the VFW, American Legion and Amvets. Max passed away at Accura Healthcare in Cherokee on Tuesday, October 3, 2017, having reached the age of 91 years, 3 months, 10 days. He was preceded in death by his parents; two sons, Kenneth and Donald Joe; two sons-in-law, Lloyd Buddenhagen and Terry Cutler; five brothers: Elmer, Clarence, Glenn, Dean and Lloyd; three sisters: Lois Harder, Donna Anderson and Elsie Lund. Survivors include Mary Lou, his wife of 68 years; three daughters: Renee Buddenhagen of Aurelia, IA, Barb LeValley of Garland, TX, and Connie Cutler of Pflugerville, TX; his grandchildren: Eric & Carrie Buddenhagen, and their children, Jamie and Tucker of Aurelia, IA; Jessica & Patrick Gillespie of LeMars, IA; and Alicia & Justin Thompson, and their children, Blake and Jayce of Cherokee, IA; three sisters-in-law, Nina Martinsen, Lu Martinsen and Monica Richards; other relatives and many friends.

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