Valire Martinson

VALIRE PHILIP MARTINSON was born to Philip and Marie (Hermanson) Martinson on June 15, 1917 in Alliance Township, Moody County, South Dakota. He was raised on the family farm near Jasper, Minnesota where he attended country school and later Jasper High School. After his graduation from high school he farmed with his family. On March 16, 1946, he was united in marriage to Alvera Pollock at the Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Following their marriage, they resided and farmed on the family farm in Moody County. He farmed there until his retirement in 1978. He died peacefully at his home on Sunday, February 5, 2017 at the age of 99 years, seven months and 20 days.

Valire was a member of the Jasper Evangelical Lutheran Church. He was baptized on July 8, 1917 and confirmed on May 24, 1931 at Bethania Lutheran Church in Moody County. He was a member of the Jasper Rural Fire Board where he served as the treasurer. He was also a member of the Jasper School Board. Although Valire wasn’t a veteran himself, all three of his siblings served our nation and he supported them and thought greatly of their service; for that reason, he was a member of the American Legion in Jasper. He enjoyed bowling, woodworking and watching sports. Valire was a person who didn’t say much but when he did, it was either words of wisdom or wit. He was unconditional with his love for his family.

He is lovingly remembered by his wife, Alvera “Polly” Martinson of Jasper; his children, Bruce (Portia) Martinson of Jasper, Rene Wade of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Coleen (Tom) Bryan of Battle Lake, Minnesota, Jean (John) Jackson of Canton, Michigan, Karen (Barry) Jenson of Hastings, Minnesota, Sheri (Mike) Swenson of Jasper, and David (Diane) Martinson of Jasper; 16 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; five great-great grandchildren; his sister, Marilyn (Melvin) Graber of Freeman, South Dakota; and sister-in-law, Marie Martinson of Dell Rapids, South Dakota. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Eugene and DeWane; and his son-in-law, Larry Wade.