Gerald Wayne Martinson

MINNESOTA CITY, Minn. - Gerald Wayne Martinson, 68, of Minnesota City, died Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009, at Community Memorial Hospital in Winona, Minn., surrounded by his family.Jerry was born on May 2, 1940, in Winona, to Arthur and LaVina (Moen) Martinson. He attended Winona Senior High School and was in the U. S.Army from 1957-1959. He and Eva Staack were married on Feb. 17, 1962, in Winona. They lived in Rochester, Minn., for two years while Jerry worked as a fireman on the Great Western Railroad. Jerry then spent the major part of his career as an over-the-road truck driver in Winona. Jerry and Eva raised three daughters; Tammy, Kim, and Jodi. They enjoyed camping and traveling as a family and with friends. When the nest was empty, Jerry and Eva spent a lot of time on his Harley.Jerry was handicapped by two major strokes in 1996, but never lost his love for life. His courage and strength to maintain his level of abilities and his positive attitude was a life lesson for all of us.Jerry was a loving and devoted husband, dad, grandpa, brother and friend. We will miss his kind spirit, sweet personality and crooked smile. We are all better people for having him as a part of our lives.Jerry is survived by his wife of 46 years, Eva; and their three daughters, Tammy (Tom) Pilgreen and sons, Stephen, Alex, and Michael of Memphis, Tenn., Kim (Rob) Lovejoy and daughters Ana and Ali of Thief River Falls, Minn., and Jodi Martinson and her daughter Eve of Winona; two brothers, Art (Patty) Martinson of Rochester, and Arlen Martinson of Viroqua, Wis.; two sisters, Arlys (Bill) Drazkowski of Winona and Karen (Allen) Burt of Minnesota City; sisters-in-law, Mae Kramer, Lonnie(John) Crooks, and Kristy (Dan) Theirl; many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews.He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Roger Martinson; brothers-in-law, Merlyn Bernamann, Joe Kramer and Mike Mounce.The memorial service for Jerry will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 23, 2009, at Hoff Funeral and Cremation Service-Hansen Goodview Chapel with Chaplain William Flesch officiating. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 22, and also one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Friday.Please feel free to share a memory of Jerry with his family, sign the on-line guestbook and view his video tribute when it becomes available at www.hofffuneral.com.
Tribute video can be found at: videos.lifetributes.com/49903