Duane L. "Shorty" Martinson

Duane LaVerne “Shorty” Martinson, 55 of Sioux City passed away Wednesday, December 26, 2012 at a Sioux City Hospital. Abiding by his wishes, the body was cremated and a memorial service will be 2:30 P.M. Friday at Becker – Hunt Funeral Home in South Sioux City with the Rev. Ralph Shorey, pastor of Faith Lutheran Church, in Sioux City, officiating. Visitation with the family will be from 1:30 p.m. until service time Friday at the funeral home. Shorty was born October 15, 1957, in Omaha, Nebraska. He graduated from Bedford Community High School in Bedford, Iowa. He then attended culinary school. He married Nellie “Nel" White August 8, 1977 in Bedford, Iowa. The couple moved to Sioux City in 1978. He was employed as chef at the Carousel Restaurant in South Sioux City until it closed. He then was employed as chef at Gateway Bar and Grill and Dicky G’s in South Sioux City and was presently employed as chef at the Glass Palace in North Sioux City, South Dakota. He was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Sioux City. Survivors include his wife Nel, a son Mike and his wife Kat Martinson of Richmond, Virginia, three daughters: Michelle Martinson of Sioux City, Heather Mlejnek and her partner Theresa “T” Ibsgaard of Sioux City, Melissa Jones of Sioux City, a brother Kevin and his wife Lulu Martinson of Omaha, three sisters: Sharon and her husband Gary Carl and Marta and her husband Dan Vaughm all of Carter Lake, Iowa, Mickey Martinson of Omaha, five grandchildren: Anthony, Stormy, Dallas, Castle and Kala-Ann. He was preceded in death by his parents and two grandchildren: Madelyn and Sassy.