Virgil Martensen Feb. 23, 1947 – April 28, 2019

Virgil Martensen, 72, of Olin, Iowa, died Sunday, April 28, 2019 at Unity Point St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids. 

A Celebration of Life service was held at 11 a.m., Thursday, May 2, 2019 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Anamosa. Rev. Rodney Bluml officiated. Private burial took place in Wayne Zion Cemetery, rural Monticello. The family greeted friends from 9 a.m. to the time of service at the church. Thoughts, memories, and condolences may be shared with the family at Goettschonline.com 

Virgil George Martensen was born Feb. 23, 1947 in Anamosa, the son of John and Anna (Dirks) Martensen. He was baptized on March 16, 1947 and confirmed on April 10, 1960, both being celebrated at St. Paul Lutheran Church. He was raised on the family farm near Langworthy with his ten siblings. He graduated from Monticello High School in 1965. On Aug. 16, 1969 he was united in marriage to Mary Fee at St. Paul Lutheran Church. He was employed at Rockwell Collins in Cedar Rapids and after 35 years of service, he retired as a manager in the Avionics Division. 

Virgil enjoyed raising cattle, fishing, and especially deer hunting with his children, other family members and friends. He was asked recently to define himself and he simply answered “Mary, Family, my dog Josie, and cattle.” 

He is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, Mary, his children Karla (Bret) Stewart of Anamosa, Tammie (Richard) Chasteen of Colorado Springs, Colo., Kristine Martensen of Monticello, and Shane (Christy) Martensen of Marion, 11 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and siblings Dean (Millie) Martensen of Salt Lake City, Utah, Allen Martensen of Monticello, Larry Martensen of Martelle, Carol (Andy) Anders of Colorado Springs, Bev ( Jim) Dieken of Greeley, Colo. and Jan Oetken of Greeley. 

He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers John, Carl, Harold, and Marvin. 

The family would like to thank the Palliative Care Team of Unity Point for the excellent care Virgil received. 

Virgil would always say: “It could always be worse. ” It was the way he lived his life and is the example he set for those who remember him.