James Alfred Martenson

James Martenson, of Maynard, died on Sunday, March 6, 2005 at the Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park, MN at the age of 78.

Funeral services were conducted on Friday, March 11, 2005 at 11:00 AM at Maynard Presbyterian Church with Rev. Beverly Crute officiating.  Interment was in the Granite Falls cemetery.

James Alfred Martenson was born on September 22, 1926 in Montevideo, MN to Alfred and Margaret (Mooney) Martenson.  He was baptized at the Maynard Presbyterian Church and graduated from Maynard High School in 1944.  On June 19, 1960 he was united in marriage to Margaret Samuelson at Faith Lutheran Church in West Fargo, ND.  He farmed until 1973, when he became an independent business owner with the Conklin Company.  He was a member of Maynard Presbyterian Church, where he served on the session.  He was a member of the National Farmers Organization and the Farmer’s Union for several years, and served on the Maynard Farmer’s Co-op Elevator Board.  Jim was a charter member of the Maynard Lions Club where he had recently been recognized as a 40 year member and was also a recipient of the Melvin Jones Award.  He was also an advisory board member of the Entrepreneur’s Assistance Network.  He enjoyed keeping up on agricultural news, loved to fish and camp with his family, garden organically and feed and observe birds.

He is survived by his wife Margaret; a son, John Martenson and his wife Deb of Gilman, IA; two daughters: Mary Fontaine and her husband Kevin of Woodbury, MN and Martha Martenson of Desert Hot Springs, CA; three grandchildren: Michael and Anika Fontaine and Amber Martenson; as well as by several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a granddaughter, Angel Christine Martenson, a brother, Carroll Martenson; one niece and one nephew.