Leonard Martin

Leonard L. (Len) Martin, was born December 7, 1922 in Grant, Nebraska to Alva and Osa Martin. Len died July 9,2019. He graduated from Perkins County High School in June 1940, and attended Nebraska Wesleyan University until enlisting in the Army Aviation Cadet program. He graduated in June 1944 as a pilot. He served three months in the Philippine Islands and eight months in Japan before being discharged. Returning to Nebraska Wesleyan, he graduated in 1947. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps Reserve which later became the Air Force Reserve and served until his retirement as a Lt. Colonel. Len married Faye Wildy of Hemingford, Nebraska on October 7, 1944 on the Air Base at Dodge City, Kansas. Their marriage lasted 62 years when she preceded him in death on December 25, 2006. They had two sons (Dennis and Monty) and a daughter (Pam). He is survived by Dennis (Barbara Martin), Monty (Debra Drew), Pamela (Brian Larson) and four grandchildren, Sarah and Will Martin, and Jessica and Corey Larson. He is also survived by his sister, Leuretta (Larry Rallens), sister-in-law, Friede Martin, and many nieces and nephews. His parents and brother (Leon) preceded him in death. Len moved his family to Minnesota in December 1956 when he went to work in the accounting department of McKesson and Robbins. He served in various capacities for nineteen years. Len and Faye then bought a Coast to Coast hardware store in Red Wing, which they operated for five to six years. After selling the store, he went to work for the S.B. Foot Tanning Company in Red Wing as an accountant. He retired in June, 1988.After retirement, Len served as a volunteer lighting technician at the Sheldon Theatre in Red Wing for 10 years. He served as a volunteer driver for the American Cancer Society taking cancer patients to Rochester or the Twin Cities for treatment. He served for eighteen years as a counselor in SCORE, a free counseling service for small businesses or start-ups. Len and Faye enjoyed their winters in Mesa, Arizona, in the company of Leuretta and Larry Rallens and many friends. Len was a life-long member of the Methodist Church, holding many positions over the years. He asked that all memorials be made to the Red Wing United Methodist Church. Memorial Service Saturday, July 20th, at 11 am at Mueller Memorial, 835 Johnson Parkway, Saint Paul with visitation one hour prior. Interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.