Marty Trence, age 58 of Prior Lake, passed away on June 29, 2014. The visitation is Wednesday, July 2, 2014 from 4:30 – 7:30PM at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation, Prior Lake. The Celebration of Life Service is Thursday, July 3, 2014 at 3:00 PM with visitation one hour prior at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation, Prior Lake.
It was a beautiful day in St. Paul on August, 19, 1955 when Fredis and Aina (Straupmanis) Trence celebrated the birth of their son, Martin Sigurds Trence. Marty was the baby of the family, and he loved tagging along with his siblings, Dace and Peter. Marty grew up in St. Anthony Park and attended Murray High School where he met one of his closest and life-long friends, Arnie Kwong.
After high school, Marty attended the University of Minnesota where he studied electrical engineering. He eventually earned his BSEE and PE. Marty moved to Indiana for a few years and got a job working for Northern Indiana Public Service Company. He enjoyed this time, but moved back to Minnesota in the early 80’s. Marty began working for NSP which eventually became Xcel Energy. He spent the next 30 years working as a project manager overseeing plans for elaborate power systems.
Marty loved his life, but still hadn’t found the right person to share it with. One of Marty’s friends invited him to a party with the intentions of setting him up. Marty agreed to go, but the set-up didn’t work out. Instead he met a beautiful young woman named Alison Foster, who turned out to be the love of his life. Alison was very social and Marty was more the intellectual type, but they complimented each other perfectly. Marty and Alison’s love grew, and they were married on August 27, 1988.
Soon after their wedding, Marty and Alison began building their dream home on Prior Lake. This was truly a project of the heart for Marty. He designed and built the home himself. This is where they raised their two children, Marija and Nathan. As a family, they went on frequent camping trips. Marty bought a pop-up camper with the intention of running it until the wheels fell off, and he nearly did. The Trence family was on the road nearly every weekend. They took the pop-up to New York, Canada, the Black Hills and on lots of spontaneous trips throughout the years.
One of Marty’s biggest passions in life was his work. It was his determination and vision that made him so successful. Marty’s job allowed him to spend a lot of time on the road, which he loved. He traveled to North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin regularly. Marty was respected both professionally and personally by all of his coworkers. He treated everyone with kindness regardless of their position. He had a way of encouraging and inspiring others to meet their full potential.
Marty was the ultimate handy-man. There wasn’t a problem he couldn’t solve or an item he couldn’t fix. Marty loved a challenge. He’d do the Star Tribune crossword puzzle every morning. Marty loved Legos and especially enjoyed putting sets together with Nathan. Marty had an adventurous spirit; he loved to travel and explore new places.
Family was the most important thing in Marty’s life, and he was always doing special things for those closest to him. Marty was known to all as a kind and generous man who put everyone else’s needs before his own.
Marty Trence passed away the afternoon of Sunday, June 29, 2014 at the Little Hospice in Edina. He was reunited with his beloved wife, Alison. Marty will be deeply missed and remembered always by his children; Marija Trence and Nathan Trence; sister, Dace (Claude Benavides) Trence; brother, Peter (Barbara Rousseau) Trence; nieces, Elizabeth Beckius and Laura Trence; other loving relatives and friends. Marty is preceded in death by his wife, Alison; parents, Fredis and Aina; special four-legged friend, Clifford.
Memorials are preferred and will be donated in Marty’s honor to some of his favorite charities.
Funeral arrangements by Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation, Prior Lake, MN.
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Rae Ann
Marija & Nathan, I am so very sorry to hear of the loss of your Dad. What a kind and loving man he was. Wishing you strength, comfort and Peace – now and always.
Rae Ann
Samia Lokenye
Marija and Nathan,
My heart goes out to you both, and everyone who knew your dad. I can’t imagine the hurt, and what you’re going through. Nor can I express how sorry I am. My deepest condolences to all friends and family.
Many prayers, thoughts and blessings your way.
Samia
Doug Bergman
Of all the good things I could say about Marty, I think his always positive attitude is what I’ll remember most. Marty was a good friend and will be missed. See ya pal-z
Kārlis Līdaks
Dear Marija and Nathan, please accept our heartfelt condolences on the loss of your dad. We still have vivid recollections of those days in summer 2011 when Mārtiņš managed to get you all to see Latvia – the homeland of his parents.
Lai viņam viegla dusa!
Latvijas brālēns Kārlis ar ģimeni
Mary Jo Remick and family
Marija and Nathan,
We were so sad to hear of the passing of your dad. You two have been through a lot. Find the strength, comfort and love in all your family and friends to get those these difficult days. Your mom and dad would both be so proud of the beautiful adults you have grown into.
Pat, Mary Jo, Lindsey, Mackenzie and Courtney Remick
Trence Family from Canada
Milias Martin… dzīvot salds DIEVA debesīs… thank you for being the cousin and man we should all strive to be!
RIP my friend Sigurd!
During this time of grief our prayers are with you all… Nathan & Marija, Dace, Peter and families,.. GOD will watch over you and keep you strong.
Mark Wehlage
Marija & Nathan, I am so sorry for your loss. Your Dad was a good friend to many of us at Xcel Energy and we respected the work he performed every day. He was particularly kind and always encouraged me to do my best. I will miss him very much. I’m glad he and your Mom are reunited once again.
Mark W.
Julie Malmberg
Marija and Nathan:
I met your dad in a “round about” way in the 1980’s. He was very good friends with my brother-in-law, Tom Nigon, when they worked together at NSP in Minneapolis as Electrical Engineers and PE’s. Then, Tom was transferred to: Eau Claire, Menominee and Lacrosse. Marty had been a guest to Tom and Lori’s(Malmberg) home in Lacrosse, and I believe was an usher at their wedding in April 1985. He was very affable, and on one occasion, while visiting Lacrosse, he drove me back on highway 61 in his sports car. Now, that was a ride! He “may” have been speeding. Also, around that time, he helped me move! I barely knew him, and here he was: my brother-in-law’s friend, carrying my junk from one apartment to a truck and into another apartment. Now, that’s a good man. Some time later, they said he met your mom, and we were all happy that such a good man had found love. Your Christmas photos were always on the bulletin board with other friends’ children. and your parents were so grateful that both of you came into their lives. A short time ago, I believe he shared his diagnoses with Tom and Lori; they were honored to have both of your parents in their lives. Take solace they were good to everyone they ever met, (or barely knew) and that is a life worth celebrating.
Sincerely,
Julie Malmberg (Tom Nigons’ Sister-in-law)
Warren Hess
Marija & Nathan.
I knew your dad at Xcel Energy for many years. If he was in my area, he would often stop. We had a good friendship. He was a warm and interested person and listener. He was great at building cross-discipline teams to get projects done. I really enjoyed his zest for life and interest in people and helping people. He is missed.