Harry Martin

Harry Joe Martin age 73 of Fredericksburg, IA, and Hickory Creek, TX, died Sunday morning, August 28, 2011, at The Atrium Medical Center in Corinth, TX. A Memorial Service will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, September 9, 2011 at United Methodist Church in Fredericksburg, IA, with Pastor Shirley Hoffman-Will officiating. Inurnment will be in the Alpha Cemetery. Friends may greet the family one hour prior to the service on Friday at the church. Hugeback and Chenoweth Funeral Home in Fredericksburg is in charge of arrangements. Harry Joe Martin was born February 9, 1938, on the family farm in rural Alpha, IA, the son of Harry E. and Mignon (VanBogart) Martin. He was the youngest of seven children. He was united in marriage on September 10,1956, to Lael Ruth Kruger at the Little Brown Chuch in Nashua, IA. To this union four children were born. Initially, he farmed in rural Alpha before settling in Sumner. He was employed with Niemann Construction for several years before moving to Cedar Falls and working at John Deere. In 1984 they moved to Texas where he was employed as a heavy-equipment operator for Waste Management until his retirement in 2005. After his retirement he spent time between his homes in Iowa and Texas. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends doing gardening and sightseeing. He also liked going for long walks each morning. During his 'retirement' he worked summers building roads for J.B. Holland of Decorah, IA. He is survived by his wife Lael, sons Scott Michael Martin of Denton, TX, Lonnie James (Rena) Martin of Lewisville, TX; daughters, Debra Jo Emerson of Hickory Creek, TX, Marsha Ann (Tim) Nichols of Waverly, IA; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; one sister, Monica Wells of St. Louis, MO. Harry was preceded in death by his parents, one brother Jack and four sisters Emily, Rowena, Mary and Marge.