Watch Lowell's Service Here

Lowell "Marty" Martinson, age 87, of Phoenix, AZ passed away on Thursday, July 24, 2025, due to complications from a fall.

Lowell, the son of Arnold and Anna (Evenson) Martinson, was born on October 12, 1937, near Gary, MN. He was baptized and later confirmed at Ness Lutheran Church near his home and grew up working on the family farm.  Lowell attended country grade school and later Gary High School. On the day of their high school graduation, June 1, 1955, Lowell married his high school sweetheart, Mavis Skare. Lowell entered the United States Air Force and together they traveled to Biloxi, MS, where Lowell was stationed until he was relocated to Topeka, KS, where they remained for four years.  Following his honorable discharge in 1959 they returned to Minnesota and Lowell attended Moorhead State University, studying education and coaching.  He first began his career in Erskine, MN, teaching physical education and coaching basketball.  Over the years, Lowell taught in several local schools, spending most of his career with the Gary Public School System.  They made their home in Twin Valley, raising their four children: David, Randi, Tammy, and Lisa for many years.  In addition to teaching, Lowell had many business adventures.  He proudly invented several products and always had new ideas running through his mind.  He ingeniously designed "Sok-O" a trendy paddle board game, which he manufactured and marketed from his factory in Gary. Most notably, Lowell owned and managed "Marty's Sky Vue" Drive Inn movie theater in Twin Valley, expanding the business in 1978 as he built "Marty's Safari" indoor theater as well.   He later operated movie theaters in Valley City and Jamestown, ND.  In 1984, Lowell married Patricia York. They spent several years living in California where he continued his entrepreneurial endeavors and coached High School basketball.  In the mid-1990's, Lowell and Patricia moved to Arizona where they have made their home since. Even in his retirement, Lowell continued to invent and keep his hands busy. He had a knack for seeing what others could not and making his visions come to life.  He also enjoyed going to the gym and spending time in his office.

Lowell is survived by his wife, Patricia of Phoenix; his daughters, Randi (Denny) Draeger, Tammy (Grant) Pederson, and Lisa (Peter) Pederson; stepsons, Jeff York and Scott (Isabel) York; 12 grandchildren; 2 step grandchildren; 9 great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.  Lowell was preceded in death his son, David; three brothers: Duane, Gene, and Arne; his sister, Mavis Jerdee; and an infant sister, Arcell.

Local Memorial Services will be held at 2:00 pm on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at Ness Lutheran Church, rural Gary, MN, with a time of gathering one hour before the funeral at the church.  Burial will be at Ness Lutheran Cemetery.