Dean Martenson, age 91, of Billings formerly of Miles City passed away January 30, 2017 at St. John’s Lutheran Home in Billings.
Dean was born on July 4, 1925 to Peter and June Martenson, one of three sons and one daughter. He graduated from Custer County High School in 1943 and shortly thereafter enlisted in the United States Navy where he trained as a corpsman. He served during World War II in the Pacific from June 1943 until the end of the war. He was awarded the Bronze Star for boldly saving the lives of three men while under enemy hostile fire at Iwo Jima.
He married Hazel Alice Griffith on August 17, 1946. He entered the family business, Griffith’s Radiator Works, and started his family with Steve, born in 1947 and Sandra in 1949. He later took over the radiator business.
Dean and Hazel worked and lived in Miles City until retirement when they started to travel, splitting their time between Miles City, their cabin in Red Lodge, MT and their winter home in Mission, TX. Dean’s passions were his family, his church, fly fishing, his love of nature and later his great-grandchildren.
In 2006 Dean and Hazel moved to Mission Ridge at St. John’s Lutheran Ministries in Billings where Dean has lived for over 10 years.
Dean was preceded in death by his wife, Hazel, his son Dean Steven Martenson, his sister Amy VanCleave and his brothers Bruce and Wallace Martenson.
He is survived by his daughter Sandie, five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held on Monday, February 6, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Ministries Mission Ridge Chapel in Billings. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 7, 2017 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City followed by a graveside services with full military honors at Custer County Cemetery. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Miles City is in charge of the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mission Ridge Ministries, 3840 Rimrock Rd. Billings, MT 59301
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:00 a.m.
Monday February 6, 2017
St. John's Lutheran Ministries Mission Ridge Chapel
3940 Rimrock Road
Billings, Montana 59102
Visitation
8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Tuesday February 7, 2017
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Graveside Service with Full Military Honors
12:00 p.m. Noon
Tuesday February 7, 2017
Custer County Cemetery
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:00 a.m.
Monday February 6, 2017
St. John's Lutheran Ministries Mission Ridge Chapel
3940 Rimrock Road
Billings, Montana 59102
Visitation
8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Tuesday February 7, 2017
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Graveside Service with Full Military Honors
12:00 p.m. Noon
Tuesday February 7, 2017
Custer County Cemetery
Miles City, Montana 59301
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MARTY VAN CLEAVE says
WE WILL MISS YOU UNCLE DEAN. I REMEMBER LOVING TO VISIT THE RADIATOR SHOP IN MILES CITY AND YOU LETTING US WATCH YOU WORK AND LETTUNG US PUTTER AROUND SOME IN THE SHOP. ALSO REMEMBER SOME GOOD TIMES AT YOUR HOUSE IN MILES CITY VISITING STEVE AND SANDRA. MERRY AND I ALSO REMEMBER A COULPLE NICE VISITS WITH YOU AT ST. JOHNS. YOU WILL BE MISSED.
SANDRA, OUR THOUGHTS ARE WITH YOU . YOUR DAD WAS A SPECIAL PERSON IN OUR LIVES.
MARTY AND MERRY VAN CLEAVE AND FAMILY (JASON, MELISSA, AND AARON
Renee Geist Corneliusen says
So sorry to learn of your Dad’s passing, Sandra. Prayers for you and your family.
Frank Tooke says
Sandy
Please accept my deepest sympathy. Your father was certainly a stellar member of our Greatest Generation . Frank