Tomah - Raymond J. Marten, 87, of Tomah, died Saturday, April 1, 2023 at the Morrow Home in Sparta. He was born to Elmer and Edna (Schueman) Marten on June 18, 1935 in Sparta. His mother died when he was 1, causing him to be raised by his great uncle and great aunt, Charlie and Anna Hoefs and cousins Dorthea and Elmer Hoefs. He was confirmed at St. Peter’s Ev. Lutheran Church, Indian Creek. He grew up in the Clifton area and was a member of the Tomah High School Graduating Class of 1953. After his graduation he moved down to the Milwaukee area where he met the love of his life. He was united in marriage to Barbara Plunkett on Nov 25, 1955 at Garden Homes Ev. Lutheran Church in Milwaukee by Pastor Erhard Pankow. In 1959, they moved to the Clifton area, where Ray worked for the Clifton Creamery. In 1964 he accepted a position as a Master Off Set Pressman at Fort McCoy, working until his retirement in 1987. After his retirement he took a job as a semi truck driver, it was a job that he truly loved. Ray was always hard working, and did a lot of extra things to help out; mowing and cleaning for people, and mowing the cemeteries at St. Peter’s, Clifton, and Pilgrims Rest all around Clifton. Ray was active in the WELS Synod serving at his home Parish St. Peter’s on the church council and at St. Paul’s Ev. Lutheran Church on the church council, usher, and being a part of the Men’s Club. Ray had a friendly and outgoing personality. If he ever met a stranger, they weren’t a stranger for long and became friends. He could remember not only the person but how they fit in. He took several trips out west visiting with many extended family and friends. He also enjoyed playing cards, with family and friends. Ray was a dedicated and loving caregiver for Barbara in her later years. He was a devoted husband, a loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great grandfather and brother.
He is survived by his 5 children Shirley (Rev James) Langebartels of Greenfield, Pamela (Randie) Johns, Paul (Cindy) Marten, and Ruth (David) Wagner all of Tomah, Cynthia (Russell) Hawk of Lacrosse, 14 grandchildren, John (Julie) Langebartels, Peter (Ann) Langebartels, Matthew (Hannah) Langebartels, Rebekah (Neil) Birkholz, Jeremy Johns, Jamie (Brian “Gus”) Hyer, Jared (fiancé Kelly) Johns, Dave (Jessica) Marten, Ashley (Adam) Justice, Abigail (Jarrett) Parr, Paige Wagner, Isaac, Emma and Ava Hawk, 22 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great grandchild, a sister, Viona Seleski of Spokane, WA, a brother-in-law, Kay Fancher, and a sister-in-law Judith Plunkett, many other nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
His wife Barbara, preceded him in death on January 20, 2003. He is further preceded in death by his parents, brothers and sisters -in-law, Reuben and Katharina Marten, Robert and Anna Marten, a sister Gladys Sorenson Rose, a sister and brother-in-law Bernita and Louis Deichler
A Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, April 5, 2023, 11:00 A.M. at St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church, 525 Superior Ave. Tomah, WI 54660. Pastor Korey Van Kampen will officiate. Burial will be in the Mount Vernon Cemetery with military honors by Curtis-McNutt VFW Post #1382.
Relatives and Friends are invited to call on Wednesday from 9:00 A.M. until the time of the service.
The Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home, is assisting the family with the arrangements. Online condolence’s may be sent to www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com
The family requests the memorials be given to St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church or St. Paul Ev. Lutheran School in Raymond’s name.
Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home
