La Verne Martinson

La Verne A. Martinson, age 86, of Winona, passed away on Wednesday, September 23, 2020, at the Gundersen Health System Hospital in La Crosse.

La Verne was born on June 13, 1934, in Galesville, WI, to Lawrence and Esther (Bergerson) Martinson, and he honorably served his country with the United States Air Force from 1953 to 1957.  La Verne married Joy Bowser, and they later divorced.  On October 3, 1981, he married Renay (Marsh) Dettinger in Winona.

He was previously employed as a welder with the Pullman Standard Steel Car Company in Butler, Pennsylvania, returning to the Winona area in 1981.  While in Winona, he was employed with the Winona Knitting Mills until his retirement.  La Verne will be remembered as a jack-of-all trades who could fix anything and was always willing to help anyone in need.  He enjoyed fishing, woodworking, as well as building and remodeling houses.  He was a member of St. Matthew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Winona.

La Verne was a loving and thoughtful person who will be deeply missed by all those who knew and loved him.

La Verne is survived by his wife, Renay; children: Tammy Martinson; Marcy (Gary) Thomas; and Christine (Scott) Steffy; a step-daughter: Kari Lynn (Bob) Swickert; 9 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; 2 step-grandchildren; siblings: Mavis Best, Mary Stein, Duane (Kathy) Martinson, and Susan (Hugh) Lorrie; as well as nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.  He was preceded in death by his son, Allen; parents; and an infant sister, Alice.

Visitation will be held from 1 PM until the funeral service at 3 PM on Sunday, September 27, 2020, at the Watkowski-Mulyck Funeral Home, 376 East Sarnia Street in Winona.  The Reverend Matthew Schoell will officiate.  Following the service, military honors will be provided outside of the funeral home by the American Legion Leon J. Wetzel Post 9 of Winona.  A private family burial will be held at a later date.

Online condolences or memories may be left for La Verne’s family at www.watkowski-mulyck.com.