Elaine McMartin, age 80, of Winona, died Thursday, April 7, 2011, at Sterling House, Winona.
Elaine (Peterson) McMartin was born Nov. 22, 1930, in Fosston, the daughter of Liv and Oscar Peterson. She lived on a farm near Lengby until her father passed away in 1945. Elaine then moved with her mother and seven brothers and sisters to a house in Lengby. She graduated from Fosston High School and earned an associate’s degree from Bemidji State Teachers College.
Her first teaching job was in Grygla, Minn., where she met her husband, John. John was working for the Soil Conservation Service and Elaine taught several elementary grades. They married on June 21, 1952, and lived in Grygla until 1961, when they moved to St. Paul. From St. Paul, they moved to Huron, S.D., where they lived for 20 years. After working for the Soil Conservation Service for 32 years, John retired and they moved to Winona, where Elaine has lived since 1986.
John passed away Feb. 14, 1999.
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Elaine stayed home to raise her four children, all born in Thief River Falls, while they were living in Grygla. In St. Paul, Elaine was a member of Incarnation Lutheran Church and the Shoreview Garden Club. In Huron, she was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and Facia Homemaker’s Club. In Winona, Elaine was a member of Faith Lutheran Church, Martha Circle, and Sons of Norway.
Elaine enjoyed cooking, reading, sewing, swimming, traveling, puzzles and television. She was proud of her Scandinavian heritage.
Elaine is survived by her son Peter McMartin, his wife Wendy, and their children Joshua, Justin, and Joseph; her daughter Katherine Morrow, her husband Jim Johnson, and their children Livia and Alice; her daughter Janet Barr, her husband Phil, and their child Elaina; and her son Paul McMartin and his wife Dora Sotelo. She is also survived by her four brothers, Kermit, Jerry (Kathy), John (Diane), and Dennis (Mary Lou) Peterson. She is survived by two sisters, Marlys (Harry) Braunlich and Alyce (Dennis) Kenny.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and one sister, Jean McPherson.
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Elaine will be sadly missed by her children, friends and family.
A funeral service will be 11:30 a.m. on Monday at Faith Lutheran Church, Winona, with Rev. Mark Dumke officiating. Interment will be at Oakland Cemetery in Stockton. Visitation will be at 10:30 a.m. until the time of service on Monday at the church.
Memorials can be directed to Faith Lutheran Church and Susan G. Komen.
Services entrusted to Fawcett-Junker Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Winona. Words of sympathy and remembrance may be left at www.fawcett-junkerfuneralhome.com .
