Lee V. Marten, age 81, of Rome, Wisconsin passed away unexpectedly Friday, November 13, 2020, due to complications from Pulmonary Fibrosis and COPD.
He was born March 14, 1939, in Escanaba, Michigan to Vern and Lotus (Stephens) Marten. His family relocated to the Chicago area in the early 1940’s where, as a young boy, he enjoyed activities such as training horses with his father and spending summers with his siblings at his grandparents’ house on the Wolf River in Fremont, WI. During high school, he was a member of the basketball team, band and choir, and many other organizations. After high school, he served in the Army in the late 1950s, then married Donna Robb on August 6, 1960, in Tinley Park, IL.
Lee was a carpenter by trade, eventually starting his own garage door installation business which continued until retirement. After retirement and a subsequent move to Rome, WI, he continued working well into his 70’s as a greenskeeper at Sand Valley Golf Resort in Nekoosa, WI. He also assisted with many different projects at the request of course management, who were familiar with his construction background. He had a knack for being able to fix anything or build anything, and always made time to help family and friends with whatever projects they were involved with, no matter how big or small.
He enjoyed many hobbies, one of which was raising horses. He also raised, trained and bred Brittany Spaniels and competed in field trials with the American Kennel Club (AKC), owning several field champions and becoming a highly sought-after field trial judge. Hunting and fishing were two of his favorite pastimes, especially fishing, which began with those days on the Wolf River and continued throughout the last 11 years on Lake Petenwell. He was also an avid golfer, spending many a Sunday on various courses throughout the Chicagoland area, always ending the round with a trip to the 19th hole with his buddies.
Lee’s greatest joy was his family. His happiest memories were of times spent with his sons, daughters-in-law, and five grandchildren, whom he called his greatest blessings. He was a friend to everyone and in addition to his many friends in the Chicago area, he made many more friends that became like family when he moved to Rome. As one of his friends and coworkers at Sand Valley once said of him, “He is everybody’s favorite grandpa.”
Lee was preceded in death by his wife Donna, and parents Vern and Lotus Marten.
He is survived by sons Michael (Cathy) Marten and Kelly Marten, daughter-in-law Sylvia Marten, and grandchildren Scott (Brooke) Marten, Kyle Marten, Natalie Marten, Kelly Marten (Jr.), and Ana Marten. He is further survived by sisters Sheila Crew and Linda (Bob) Kowalczyk, and brother Gene (Kathy) Marten, along with many loving nieces and nephews and grand-nieces and nephews.
A celebration will be held at a later date.
Hello Lee and Donna’s Family. What a treasure you had for parents. Bob and I, Arlene (Fabian) graduated High School with Lee and Donna in 1957. Bob was an athlete also, these guys stick together. Lee was a close friend. Donna and I had classes together along with after school programs. It looks like Lee had a full and interesting life.
A classmate, Diane Lavery sent us the obituary. I then sent it to Bill Beck who was first line with Lee on the Basketball team. We are sadden to hear of Lee’s passing. We have fond memories of them both.
Lee was my proudest achievement at Sand Valley because he told me that getting him in the door saved his life , and how much he loved his job.
Always smiling and looking forward to his next job to be proud of.
Lee was a joy to work with as well as a true friend and gentleman to all his many co workers.
He will be missed