Martin S. Svenson On the afternoon of June 13, 2021, Martin passed peacefully away of natural causes. Martin was being visited and comforted by family members at Riverstone Hospice House, in Billings, MT. The family is appreciative of the last few days being able to enjoy Martin’s stories and trademark dry wit. Martin was 92 years old. Martin Svenson was born at the family homestead near Cohagen, Montana on May 15, 1929. He was the second son of Elise Berge and Reier Svenson. Martin’s father Reier came to the United States from Norway in the early 1900’s, he worked for an uncle in Iowa for a time and established his homesteaded in Cohagen in 1911. Reier later went back to Norway for a bride, marrying Elise Berge, arriving in the states in 1926. They spent a couple of years in North Dakota before traveling to the family homestead in Montana. Martin was a tall man. When he was in High School, he enjoyed playing basketball, his younger sisters called him “balla” because of the basketballs on the side of his converse shoes. He graduated from Cohagen High School. There were three students in his class, Lujane Lagge, Patsy Wilson and Martin. To Martin’s children and grandchildren, he was a beloved patriarch, to his siblings he was a big brother who loved to tease and play practical jokes on them. Martin married the love of his life, Mildred Stanton on June 3, 1951, at the Stanton Ranch near Brusett, MT. Martin and Millie enjoyed living in several places throughout Southeastern Montana over the years. They raised their daughters Marilyn and Myrna in Glendive and Miles City. When Mavis joined the family they moved to Hardin, where Marvin was born. In 2001 Martin and Millie moved to Forsyth to be closer to family, and in 2017 they moved to Joliet to live with Marvin and his family. In the seventy years Martin and Millie were married they had over 100 friends stay with them in times of need. They were generous with what they had. Martin was a skilled craftsman. He loved building and made being a carpenter his chosen profession. He built many homes in Hardin, Miles City, Billings and in the area around Forsyth. If you knew Martin, you know he liked to add his signature style to the roof eave of the houses he built. Over the years Martin was privileged to help on numerous Kingdom Hall construction projects. In later years Martin loved to stay active building bookcases, he was often building shelves to accommodate Millie’s ever-growing collection of salt and pepper shakers. Martin was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses at an International Convention in New York City in 1958. Many of our friends have called Martin a walking Bible Encyclopedia. He did have an amazing recall of the scriptures. One of Martin’s secrets was; when you find a verse you like, you then find a verse that “hugs it” or supports it. If a friend ever came to him for encouragement or a listening ear, he always made them feel better by sharing a scripture. Martin is proceeded in death by his parents, Reier and Elise Svenson, four infant brothers, his sisters Betty Bozarth, Marge Edsall, and his twin great grand-daughters Zoemi’ and Zelda Pineda. He was also proceeded in death by his niece Lisa Haney, his nephews Richard, Billy, and David Haney, Tommy Stanton and Keith and Merle Edsall. Martin is survived by; his loving wife Mildred of 70 years, their daughters Marilyn (Bill) O’Neill of Thompson Falls, MT, Myrna (Gary) Baker of Mount Vernon, WA, Mavis (Bud) Redden of Billings, MT, and their son Marvin (Tamira) Svenson of Joliet, MT, their 13 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson. Martin is survived by his sisters Ruth Sturtz and Lou (Bill) Haney of Sheridan, MT, and his brother Bennie (Shirley) Svenson of Glendive, MT, his brothers-in-law Neil (Phyllis) Stanton of Jordan, MT, Tom (Claudia) Stanton of Brusett, MT and many nieces, nephews, and friends. Through out his life, Martin maintained a connection to the Cohagen community. His memories of the hard times were events that welded the family closer together. His love and admiration for his parents as he watched their faith and endurance had a profound affect on forming his personality. He kept in touch with many of the old neighbors and that is where he chose to be laid to rest on June 19, 2021, at 11 AM. He is safe in God’s memory and through the ransom sacrifice paid for us by Christ Jesus he will share in the promise Jesus made at John 5:28,29.
Martin Svenson, age 92, of Joliet
May 15, 1929 – June 13, 2021
Deb Hunking says
Millie and family,
We are so sorry to hear about Martin’s passing. It will be a wonderful day when you can welcome him back young and healthy. What a wonderful God Jehovah is to give us the promise of the resurrection.
Nick Clauson says
Millie and family and all the Svenson siblings, seeing Martins name took me back to school days in Cohagen, Martin was always one of the good guys! Sorry about his passing, but he lived a good long life, remember the memories! Sincerely, Nick & Betty Clauson.
Sabrina and Arthur Kraft says
To all of our dear Svenson families: We love you. There are a lifetime of memories that we shared over the decades. Martin will always be known to us as the builder of everything. Our memories remind us of all of the times in Glendive and Miles City and Forsyth and Billings and everywhere in between. Please know that faith has sustained us always. I always felt like Myrna and Marilyn were my very own sisters in so many ways, so Martin and Millie were family to me. The legacy Martin leaves behind is truly a special one. Our deepest love, prayers and hope go with all of you. Sabrina and Art Kraft 406-259-6163
Lana Swanson says
It is my understanding, my Dad’s great grandparents had the property adjoining the Svenson’s, and Dad and Martin went to the same school, Dad was a couple years older than Martin. Our family knew them all our lives and loved them dearly. Martin did a huge favour for Dad in his last days. He came and visited Dad while he was being held against his will in Crows care home. Dad was extremely anxious about being shut away, when in walks Martin, and what ever was said between them helped Dad to settle down and get a lawyer to prove he was not incompetent. Thus being released. Thank you Martin and Jehovah🍒. Looking forward to seeing you when the whole world sings Jehovah’s praises.
Linda Estes (Stanton) says
Mildred and family. So sorry for your loss. You were fortunate to have a rock to guide you through life’s challenges and achievements. May the one above wrap his arms around all of you during this difficult time.
Eugene and Paola Svenson says
Dear Millie, Myrna, Marilyn, Mavis, Marvin and families,
We express our condolences and share in your confidence in Martin’s faith and the corresponding hope that he has.
With affection,
Eugene and Paola Svenson
Marcie Burrows says
Dear Family,
Jim and I send our heartfelt prayers for your family to get through this period of grief over the loss of this precious man. Jehovah has him in his memory and will give him back to you…soon!
Love you all very much.
The Burrows Jim and Marcia
Dawn says
My condolences to the Svenson family, I was very sorry to hear of Martin’s passing. I have many happy childhood memories of all of you. There is peace in knowing of the resurrection & Martin led a full life but I know his passing still brings sorrow. My love to you all
Bruce G Mapley says
Martin was my spiritual father, he was always there in good instructions, not to mention all the love he did show mild in his always mild manner. Hope to see him soon in the new world
Anon says
John 5:28-29 – “The time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned.”
There are many vile things that Martin is currently being accused of in an open case in Montana District Court. Which resurrection will it be for Brother Svenson? Only Jehovah knows.
But we know this from Matthew 18:6 – “But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.”
A.G says
This man had some terrible allegations of child sex abuse levied against him, with multiple victims.