Charles Martin

Charles Martin age 87 of Waucoma, IA passed away on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at WinnMed in Decorah, surrounded by his family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m., Friday, February 21, 2025, at St. Luke’s Catholic Church, 215 East Main St. St. Lucas, IA with Rev. Nick Radloff presiding. Burial will be in the church cemetery with full military rites.

Visitation will be from 9:00 until 10:30 a.m. before the service on Friday at the church.

Charles was born on May 14, 1937, on the family farm near St. Lucas to Joseph and Rita (Croatt) Martin. Charles graduated from St. Luke’s Catholic School in 1955. He served in the U.S. Army from 1959-1961. He returned home to the farm with his family.

He met his future wife, Rose Mary Brincks, while she was babysitting his niece and nephews. Charles and Rose Mary were married at St. Mary’s Church in Willey, IA, on May 25, 1968.

They raised their four children and farmed together on the Martin Family Century Farm, focusing on dairy and crop farming. They also raised hogs, chickens, and beef cattle throughout their farming career.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 56 years, Rose Mary Martin, and his four children: Theresa (Marty Hageman) Burke of Fort Atkinson, Diane (Paul) Ollendieck of Frederika, Donna (Ron) Blong of Fort Atkinson, and Paul (Katie) Martin of Jesup. Seven grandchildren: Zach (Nicole Jensen) Burke, Kayla (fiance Carson Ward) Burke, Megan and Brady Blong, Madeline, Abby, and Sawyer Martin, in addition to a foster grandson, Moses. Five step-grandchildren: Sheena (Greg), Frana, Amanda (Stephen), Rausch, Tyler (Ashley), Ollendieck, Gary (Tarissa), Ollendieck, Erica (Trevor), Harris. He is also survived by ten step-great-grandchildren, three sisters, Carlene (Jerome) Kuhn of New Hampton, Sr. Mary Ellen Martin of Canton, OH, JoAnn Brincks of Carroll; two sisters-in-law, Mary Ann Martin of Waucoma, Bernice (LaVern) Halbur of Eagleville, MO; and brothers-in-law Melvin Brincks of Roselle, LeRoy Brincks of Carroll and many nieces and nephews.

Charles is preceded in death by his parents, his in-laws, Anton and Clara Brincks, his brother, Harry Martin, his son-in-law, William ‘Jay’ Burke Jr., and brothers and sisters-in-law, Delbert (Dolora) Brincks, Marlene Brincks, Darlene Brincks, Alvina (Wayne) Poeppe, Mary Ann (Orval) Schlichte, and Irwin Brincks.