Harold Martin

Harold Gene Martin, 87, Sioux City, passed away Wednesday, February 21, 2018 at a local hospital following a brief illness.  Services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, February 26, 2018 at First Lutheran Church in Sioux City, Iowa with Pastor Kristine Stedje officiating. Visitation with the family present will be held on Sunday, February 25, 2018 from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. at First Lutheran Church in Sioux City. Arrangements are with the Meyer Brother Funeral Home in Sioux City. Burial with military rites will be at a later date at Memorial Park Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy can be extended to the family at www.meyerbroschapels.com

Harold Gene Martin was born on September 22, 1930 in Sioux City, the son of Homer Clyde and Alvina (Hintz) Martin, the youngest of nine children. Harold attended schools in Sioux City, graduating from Central High School in 1949.  Harold enlisted in the United States Air Force and proudly served his country during the Korean War. Following an honorable discharge, Harold attended Morningside College in Sioux City, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1955. Graduate studies were done through the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls and Drake University in Des Moines.

On December 28, 1952, Harold married his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Marlene (Molly) J. Forsling, at Augustana Lutheran Church in Sioux City. They recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in the company of their family. Harold began his teaching career at Greenville-Rossie (Iowa) High School in 1955. He taught in the Paullina School District for two years, and from 1958-1967 was a business education teacher at Le Mars Community School District. Following his time at Le Mars, he taught at Western Iowa Tech Community College in Sioux City for 26 years, retiring in 1993. Harold was instrumental in the development of the Office Occupations program at Western Iowa Tech. He was loved by his students and made an impact on many lives.

Harold was an active member of First Lutheran Church. He enjoyed tinkering in his garage, and took great pride in maintaining his yard and his cars. He also enjoyed traveling throughout the United States. Most importantly, he loved spending time with his family. Harold’s favorite vacation spot was Lake Okoboji, where the family spent many summers together. He was a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather, and an eternal optimist. He was known to his family as “The Old Oak Tree.”

He is survived and forever loved by his wife of 65 years, Marlene (Molly); daughter, Cindy (Jim) Lippke, and granddaughters Elizabeth Lippke (fiancé, Brian Ganzel) and Catherine Lippke of Sioux City; daughter, Molly (Rich) Lee of Walford, IA, and grandsons Christopher Lee of Duluth, MN and Matthew Lee (fiancée, Josie Wagner) of Davenport, IA. He was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings, and his in-laws, Walter and Isabel Forsling.

Memorials may be designated to First Lutheran Church.