Gene Martinson, age 84, of Mahnomen, MN, formerly of Twin Valley, MN, and Gary, MN, died Sunday, September 16, 2018, at Mahnomen Health Center Nursing Home, Mahnomen, MN.

Gene Everett Martinson was born at home on April 3, 1934, the oldest son of Arnold and Anna (Evenson) Martinson. He grew up on the farm and attended Woodside Dist. #38 Country School and Gary Public School. As a young man, Gene began helping on the farm in which led to his lifelong commitment to be a farmer. It wasn't just a job, it was a way of life for Gene who eventually took over the family farming operations and farmed together with his younger brother, Duane, for many years.  He continued to live on the farm into retirement while renting out the land. A debilitating fall left Gene in the hospital for three weeks, followed by rehab at the Twin Valley Nursing Home and moving off the farm into Valley Pines Apartments in Twin Valley, together with his beloved cat Woods. He would later move to the assisted living in Mahnomen and has spent the past three years making his home at the Mahnomen Health Center Nursing Home.

As long as one can remember, Gene loved spending time in the shop. From the young boy who would miss a meal to the wise old man who was frugal and stubborn enough to change all the tires on his combine himself. He was a self-taught mechanic and could work on anything. He never had to take any of his equipment to town to be worked on. Gene often occupied his time with his mechanical abilities. He built a custom hot rod car, a one passenger boat, open cockpit airplane, and gyrocopters and could overhaul any airplane, piece of farm equipment or engine in general. In addition to his mechanics, Gene had a love for flying and obtained his pilot's license. He also did over-the-road hauling with his brother, Arne, and they made several trips to Oshkosh, WI, and Rockford, IL. Even after Gene was no longer able to fly his planes, he would still spend many hours flying his self-made gyrocopter. He will be greatly missed by many friends and his family.

Gene is survived by a sister, Mavis (Jon) Jerdee of Northome, MN; two brothers, Arne (Sonja) Martinson of Twin Valley and Lowell (Pat) Martinson of Phoenix, AZ; sister-in-law, Waetta Martinson of Mahnomen; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; infant sister, Arcell; brother, Duane; nephew, Mark Martinson; and great niece, Alicia Halvorson.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, September 21, 2018, at Ness Lutheran Church, rural Gary, MN. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the funeral at the church. Interment will take place at the Ness Lutheran Cemetery following the funeral service.