Calvin Ferdinand Martin

Calvin Martin, Age 89 went home to be with the Lord on July 1, 2022. A Celebration of life will be held Monday July 11, 2022, at 11:00 AM at the Casino Assembly of God in Pillager, Minnesota. Visitation will take place Sunday, July 10, 2022, from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM at the church and will continue the day of the funeral from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM. Burial will immediately follow the funeral service. 

Calvin was born to Ferdinand and Agnes Martin on January 1, 1933. He was joined in marriage to Elaine Hanson at the Batavia Church of Christ, rural Browerville on July 14, 1962. They would have been married for 60 years this month. Calvin was a caring and compassionate man who loved to make new friends wherever he went. He was very involved with his church, Casino Assembly of God where he faithfully attended and served since his youth. His family was very dear to him. He taught them the value of work by example. Whether working together with the dairy operation or helping with field work, there was always a reward; a family vacation after the grain was harvested before school started each fall.

Calvin graduated from Pillager High school in 1950. During his high school years, he was President of the Pillager FFA Chapter. He later took classes in farm management at the
vocational school in Staples. He served in the US Army in Germany from August 1954 until August 1956. Along with his farming, he was employed with the Burlington Northern Railroad where he worked for 17 years. He always found time for community and school activities. He loved watching his children and grandchildren play basketball. He served 14 years on the Pillager School Board. During this time he was very influential in promoting Pillager to remain as an independent school district. He spent much of his final year at the St. Anne Extended Care in Winona Mn. He loved to visit with anyone who happened to be nearby. He loved to tell them about the Lord and about his church, Casino Assembly of God. We would like to thank the caring and compassionate staff of St. Anne’s for befriending Calvin and taking such good care of him. Calvin is survived by his wife Elaine, children Carrie (Gary) Espeseth, Daniel Martin, Stephanie (Charles) Peterson, and Philip (Darby) Martin. He is also survived by his brother Gordon Martin. He is survived by 18 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Carolyn (Robert) Fisher, and grandchildren, Maria Espeseth, Charles Peterson III and Weston Martin.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.

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