BOONE, Iowa—Funeral arrangements have been set for Richard “Dick” Wayne Martin, age 86, of Boone, Iowa. He passed away on Thursday, July 29, 2021, at Bethany Life in Story City.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 1, 2021 at the Schroeder-Reimers Memorial Chapel at Sixth and Marshall Streets in Boone, Iowa. A brief funeral Service will be held at 10:00 AM on Monday, August 2, 2021, at the Schroeder-Reimers Memorial Chapel, followed by burial at the Lawn Cemetery, east of Boxholm, Iowa. As a precaution against the Delta variant of COVID-19, the family requests all in attendance to wear a mask.
Dick was born to Charles and Etta (Elsberry) Martin on September 5, 1934 at the family home in rural Boone County. He enlisted in the US Army, where he obtained his high school equivalency, and was discharged in 1962. He met Betty Joyce Will, and they were united in marriage in Boxholm on July 19, 1959, celebrating 62 years of marriage together.
Dick worked at John Deere following his service, remaining with the company for 34 years before retiring in the spring of 1989. During his working years, he started a vegetable farm, which became a full-time operation following his retirement. He was famous throughout Boone County for his melons. He was also President of the Ames Farmers’ Market and well known at the Boone Farmers’ Market, where he and his family sold their produce for several decades. He was a master gardener and fisherman, and he especially enjoyed catching walleye.
He also enjoyed hunting and cooking morel mushrooms and watching his beloved Iowa Hawkeyes. He was an avid reader and follower of world affairs. He treasured spending time with his grandchildren.
Dick was a member of Augustana Lutheran Church in Boone, where he served as a board member for several years. He was involved with the local Jury commission and the Iowa Wildlife Federation, where he aided in conservation efforts and attended national conventions. He also was a long time Little League coach.
Dick was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Gerald, Raymond, Albert, and Wallace; and sisters Maxine and Diane. He is survived by his wife Betty, of Boone, children Todd Martin of Dexter, Rodney (Cindi) Martin of Garden City, and Joni (Russell) Nollen of Roland; grandchildren Kevin, Kelly, Kasey, Wesley, Laura, Shaunacey, and Layk; sisters, Alice Whittlesey and Hazel Peterson, both of Boone; brother William (Gerrie) Martin of rural Boone; along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Schroeder-Reimers Memorial Chapel at Sixth and Marshall Streets in Boone. Online condolences may be left to Dick’s family at www.schroedermemorialchapel.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to the Augustana Lutheran Church in Boone or the Bethany Life Chaplaincy in Story City.
Richard “Dick” Martin, 86, Boone, Iowa
