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David M. Martin
Posted By Ballard Sunder Funeral Home On August 16, 2016 @ 11:41 am In 2016,Obituaries | 27 Comments
The afternoon of Monday, August 15, 2016 at his home in Prior Lake, MN, David M. Martin was 78 years old, when he passed away peacefully.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, August 20, at 11, am at St. Michael Catholic Church, 16311 Duluth Avenue SE, Prior Lake, with a time of gathering starting at 9:30 am. David will be laid to rest at St. Michael Catholic Cemetery. In support of David’s love for Corvettes and classic cars, he wants owners to drive their cars to the service.
David was born on January 26, 1938 in Caro, MI to parents Vernon and Florence (Carley) Martin. An intelligent man, he focused his entire life on serving communities with electrical power, enjoying classic Corvette cars and loving and supporting his family.
Graduating from Jackson High School, Jackson, MI, in 1956, David then acquired an Electrical Engineer Degree from Tri-State College, Angola, IN, in 1959. Even before graduating, he had secured employment. Later, he spent 16 years as General Manager of Owatonna Public Utilities. Through the years, David was very instrumental in providing electrical power to parts of Indiana, Iowa, and Nebraska, with a special focus on Southern Minnesota. He helped design and built the first concrete poles. David helped engineered the first ¼ mile span of high electrical poles and also creating the nuclear power plant in Minnesota. He served as president for the Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency, Midwest Gas Association, and Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association.
On November 19, 1960 at St. Matthew Co-Cathedral Church in South Bend, IN, David’s life was enriched marring Arlene Kay Varga. They were blessed with three children, Michael, Marci, and Mitchell. David shared and passed on his love of Corvettes to his family. With the children in the coupe, he and Arlene enjoyed participating in auto cross, road rallies, and car shows. David and Arlene belonged to the Minnesota Historical Antique Car Club, SCCA Club of America, Cedar Rapids Corvette Club, Nebraska Corvette Club, Car Nuts of Owatonna MN, River Bend Antique Car Club, NCRS and the Classic Corvettes of Minnesota. Their Corvette just turned 50 years old on June 3.
David will be forever missed and loved by wife of 55 years, Arlene; children, Michael (Bernie) Martin, Marci (Bill Towner) Martin, Mitchell Martin; grandchildren, Kristen (Stuart) Poole, Theo Towner, Kefelen Martin; niece, Vicki Sontheim; other relatives and friends.
Preceded in death by David’s parents, Vernon and Florence and sister, Sharon Thompson.
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Print Obituary & CondolencesHi Michael,
Thank you so much for your kind words! Dave passed peacefully. He had liver cancer and it went very fast. Dave and Arlene appreciated all you for us. Thank you very much!
So sorry for your loss. I spent my high school years at the Martin household. For a kid from the trailer park, your house was a mansion (actually was by any standard). I remember Mike and I trimming the perimeter shrubs standing on my car. And working on the Vette at the high school shop. Man, Dave had a lot of confidence in a couple high school kids. Or most likely just being a good guy. I am thankful to have been a part of the Martin family.
I can not say how sorry I am. Please know my prayers are with you all
Arlene, Dave will be missed by all of us, but we can hardly imagine your sense of loss after 55 years together. Dave’s wisdom, courage and sense of humor will be remembered and cherished by the Corvette community. Our prayers are for you and your family. May Dave rest in peace, and may you find peace in knowing Dave is with God.
Arlene & Family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you on the passing of Dave. We will remember all of the great times & memories we have with our Corvettes over the last 20 plus years!! Dave was a great husband, father, grandfather & friend—always will be remembered.
Glenn & Linda Franke
Arlene, Marie and I want to offer our deepest condolences on the loss of David. I know these times are going to be difficult for you but you can get some comfort in knowing there are many people offering prayers for you and your family. God works in ways none of us will really never understand but we are assured that when we join him in eternal life all our worries and pain and suffering ends.
Arlene. Jim and I were saddened upon hearing about Dave’s passing. We enjoyed spending the few times we were with the two. Of you. Dave was a very nice man . Your family is in our prayers. God Bless Jim and Shirley Lee Strohschoen
Arlene and family, so very sad. Sending prayers to all of you. Treasure memories.
Arlene & family,
We are so sorry to hear about Dave’s passing. I am sure he has left you many treasured memories to help you through this. Our thoughts & prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Arlene, so sorry to hear of Daves passing. We send our thoughts and prayers to you and your family. You and Dave were one of the first to welcome us into Classic Corvettes of MN and I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to know him as a friend during our meetings at your home when we co-chaired the Mystic Lake show, rest in peace Dave.
Arlene, Brian and I are saddened by the news of Dave ‘s passing. We will miss his smile and I will miss his hugs. We are with you in spirit. Love, Alvera and Brian
Please accept my sincere condolences.This was such a surprise to me. You were both so kind to me when Richard passed. Hugs until I see you Saturday.
Arlene, we’re so sorry for your loss. We enjoyed every time we came across you and Dave and basked in the warmth of your friendship. We, too, will miss him.
Dear Arlene
We were only recently informed of David’s illness and were immensely sad when we learned of his passing. What a great person. How we enjoyed his enthusiasm for Corvettes and life. Working with you two on Mystic Lake and other club activities were true highlights for us. We were very privileged to have known Dave. As we are privileged to know you and hope we stay in touch. We will always have a vision of you two driving in that beautiful blue Corvette and listening to you both about your effervescent enthusiasm for it. That’s how’ll we’ll always remember our friend, Dave. Driving a blue C2 with a huge grin on his face! Please call on us for anything.
The World has lost another GREAT person! May you find comfort in knowing his pain is gone and he is at peace. I will always remember your kindness to Randy and I at the Corvette Meetings! I know how your heart must ache but his memories will keep your heart filled with his love!
Arlene our prayers and love are with you. David is in a happier and better place after suffering with cancer.
We will all miss David. The famous three of David, Rod, & Bill will miss our Utility Manager. David represents
what we all want to be – a good husband – a good father – and a faithful man & husband good to his word.
Arlene May God bless you and your children; May the road rise up to meet you;
May the sun shine warm upon your face; May the rains fall soft upon your fields;
and until we meet again, may God hold David in the palm of his hand.
Arlene May the warm rays of the sun fall upon your home and May the hand of a friend always be near.
Bill and Kay
Arlene, I am so very sorry for your loss. I was truly blessed to meet both of you and have the opportunity to work with you and stay friends over the years because of your love of Corvettes. I really enjoyed the time we spent talking about the shows but more importantly talking about life. I know in my heart that Dave is in a better place. Take Care
Arlene and Family – Our deepest sympathy on the loss of Dave. We will miss him very much. Dave was a good, honest, decent man, devoted to his family. We were lucky to know Dave as a friend. Every time we wear our “fanny packs” to a Corvette event we will think of Dave.
We always enjoyed our visits with Dave and Arlene at Corvette shows…they in their 1966 blue coupe and right next to our 1966 blue convertible. Dave always had great knowledge about Corvettes and you could always feel his passion. We loved hearing his Corvette stories over the years. We’ll miss his infectious smile too.
Arlene, I’m so sorry to hearing about Dave’s passing. Glenda let me know that you and Dave were in Colorado last year and had a chance to get together. Dave was a special man and skilled negotiator! I learned a lot from him. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and the family, and always…
Aunt Arlene & family,
Amy, Maddy, & I want you to know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. Please take comfort in all the kind words & support of your friends and family. My deepest condolences,
Paul
Arlene, our deep sympathy and prayers to you. You and Dave were a wonderful couple. John and I enjoyed the fun times we had with you and Dave planning Corvett Club events . Dave will be missed by many,.
Arlene and family,
I was so surprised to see the sad news of Dave’s passing. I miss those days of visiting with you and Dave.
Our prayers are with you.
Dear Arlene,
Frank & I just heard today about Dave’s passing. We were so saddened to hear it. We always enjoyed our visits with you two at Edelweiss & meeting in New Prague at the old car shows.
You are in our prayers.
Frank & Cathy Simons
Hi Arlene,
This is belated because I did not know David passed on until I went looking and saw his obituary. Please know that myself and his other doctors loved and will miss him as well.
Peace, Dr Rachel Hub
Dear Arlene and family –
I would like to add my condolences to you upon Dave’s passing. I actually had driven past St. Michael’s Church the day of the service and had noticed the several Corvettes waiting in the area, but I was not aware of the reason and only later came across Dave’s obituary. I still wanted to write at this late date to add my thoughts on the respect and the affection Dave had from all in the municipal electric industry and in the Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association. I remember Dave as President warmly welcoming me to the Board. Dave always showed leadership in the best way.
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Arlene, I am so very sorry about the loss of Dave. He was a friend, a fellow Corvette guy and a terrific person to visit with. Dave always was interested in how myself and my family were doing. A wonderful person, always with a smile. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.