Thomas Gary Marten, age 76, of Cambridge, Minnesota passed away peacefully, alongside his family on Friday, June 3, 2016 at the Haven House in Cambridge.
Tom was born in Farmington, Missouri to Elsie and Gerald Marten on November 21, 1939. He graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1958. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1960, based at KI Sawyer AFB in Gwinn, Michigan until being discharged in 1964 following one year in Vietnam, receiving the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.
He married Carol Trewartha on October 12, 1963 in Ishpeming, Michigan. They moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1964 and eventually to Blaine, Minnesota where they lived for 10 years with their three children. In 1973 he purchased a small 20-acre hobby farm just north of Cambridge. This became his pride and joy for 40 years.
Tom was a proud man. He loved his family dearly, telling jokes, curling, fishing, camping, 4-wheeling, dirt biking, and snowmobiling. He enjoyed attending all the athletic activities of his children and grandchildren. He also loved his John Deere tractor and lawn mowers; and his Polaris toys. Over the past 10 years Tom and Carol spent their winters in Arizona as snowbirds. In Arizona he would spend many afternoons playing water volleyball, shooting billiards, riding trails, and hanging with friends.
Tom worked at 3M in St. Paul as a drafting engineer for 13 years. He retired from 3M in 2000. He also worked at Hypro Manufacturing in Minneapolis and Arrow Tank in Cambridge. He enjoyed working part-time at the Cambridge Liquor Store, as a Cambridge-Isanti bus driver, and at Isanti County Equipment selling John Deere equipment.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Donald and Eugene and sister Beverly.
Tom is survived by his wife Carol of 52 years, daughters Christine (Scott) Hedberg, Laura Simon (Jeff Johnson), son Shawn (Deb) Marten, brother Sanford of San Diego and sister Jacqueline of Minneapolis, grandchildren Garrett Hedberg and Madison Domino; Ryan, Blaine and Elliott Simon; Alec Marten, Blake Perkins, Nick, Lindsey and Kayla Anderson, great-grandchildren Hayden Simon and Chloe Hughes and several nieces and nephews.
Honorary urn bearers are Scott Hedberg, Jeff Johnson, Garrett Hedberg, Madison Domino, Ryan Simon, Blaine Simon, Elliott Simon, and Alec Marten.
The family of Thomas Marten wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Dr. Allen Mork, Dr. Jane Achenbach, Heartland Hospice, Visiting Angels, B’s Homecare and the Haven House.
Memorial Service 7 p.m., Friday, June 10, 2016 at Carlson Lillemoen Funeral Home in Cambridge with Pastor Justin Domino officiating. Special music by Deanna Gusk. Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Following the service there will be a military Honors. Private burial at Fort Snelling National Cemetery at a later date.
Online condolences at www.carlsonlillemoen.com.