Joseph Martinson

Joseph Martinson, 86 of Kensington died Wednesday, April 7,2021, at his home with his family at his side.

Joseph Durwood Martinson was born in Kensington, Minnesota on June 1, 1934, to James and Julia (Gullickson) Martinson. He was baptized and confirmed at Solem Lutheran Church in Kensington.

He attended country school and after completing high school in Hoffman, he went into the Army from 1955 to 1956 at Camp Irwin, California. He then came back home and worked with his father on the farm. He met Hildegaard Hagedorn waitressing at a local café. They married in July of 1961. To this union, five sons were born. He bought the farm from his dad and continued to farm for several years. He loved his dogs and had numerous ones on the farm. He always had to have a dog by his side.

Joe enjoyed doing woodwork and made numerous things for the kids and grandkids. He worked on road construction and drove truck over the road. Hildegaard died in September of 1983, after a lengthy battle with Lupus. He then married Beverly Johnsrud in June of 1985. He worked road construction a few more years, then went to work for Morris Sand & Gravel until he retired. For eighteen years they spent about four months out of each winter in Yuma, AZ.

Joe was a member of Solem Lutheran Church until the church closed.  He later joined St. Petri Lutheran where he was a member at the time of his death.   He had served on the Solem Township Board.

He had a love for fishing, hunting, and playing Bingo, and cherished the time spent with his grandchildren.

He is survived by his five children, Joey (Carol) Martinson of Hoffman, Mark Martinson of Kensington, David (Michelle) Martinson of Hoffman, Dale (Sarah) Martinson of Kensington and Kevin Martinson of Rosamond, CA; two stepchildren, Mike (Suzanne) Johnsrud of Orono, and Vicki (Wayne) Hines of Buffalo; twelve grandchildren, Hilde, James, Joshua, Jeffrey, Dallas, Ellorie (Chad), Alicia, Andrew, Tanner, Parker, Casey (Lauren) and Roxanne (Raymond), and by two step grandchildren, Kyle (Dawn), and Kasey Reque along with two other step-grandchildren.  Three great-grandchildren, Alice Martinson and Mckenzie and Madison Liljequist, sister-in-law, Florence Brosh and many nieces and nephews.

Joe was preceded in death by his first wife, Hildegaard, his second wife, Beverly, parents, James and Julia Martinson, sisters, Jane (Russel) Lovstad and Myrtle (Cornelious) Alvheim, brother, John (Anna) Martinson, brothers-in-law, Jerome and James Hagedorn and daughter-in-law, Josie Martinson.

Funeral Service: 2:00 PM, Saturday, April 24, 2021, at the Covenant Church in Kensington.

Visitation: Friday from 4 to 8 PM at the Erickson-Smith Funeral Home in Hoffman and one hour prior to the service at the church.

Interment: Solem Lutheran Cemetery

Funeral Home: Erickson-Smith of Hoffman

Condolences: EricksonSmithFH.com