Obituary of Richard Allan Martinson

Richard Allan Martinson, 92 of St. Cloud, MN died peacefully on March 10th, 2024 at Regions Hospital after a short illness.

Richard (Dick) was born on Sept 30th,1931 in Green Bay, Wisconsin to Alfred and Maureen (Echtner) Martinson. The family later moved to Detroit Lakes, MN where Dick attended Holy Rosary School through the 8th grade and then Detroit Lakes High School where he graduated in the class of 1951. After high school, Dick worked several years as a surveyor with the Minnesota Department of Transportation and then attended Dunwoody Institute to become a bridge inspector for the State of Minnesota. He traveled throughout the state building and inspecting bridges for the new US interstate system. Dick then attended Moorhead State College and received a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Arts Education, graduating Summa Cum Laude. While attending Moorhead State, Dick met his future wife, Rose Marie Snow. On June 17th, 1963 Dick and Rose were married. After teaching in Ortonville, MN for one year, Dick and Rose moved to St. Cloud, MN where they would live for the next 50 years, raising a family and becoming active members of the local community and their faith community, St. Augustine's Catholic Church. Dick taught Industrial Arts at South Junior High and then at Technical High School until his retirement in 1987. Dick was an accomplished woodworker, small engine repair man, and fixer of all things. He was active in the church choir, barber shop quartet, and often volunteered with the Meals on Wheels ministry. During the summers, he spent many days at the family cabin in Backus, MN fishing and enjoying the outdoors. He will always be remembered for his sense of humor, his enjoyment of motorcycling and roller-skating, and his willingness to lend a hand to friends and family.

Dick is survived by his two brothers, John Martinson of Detroit Lakes, and Alfred Jr. (Jeanette) Martinson of Escondido, CA, his daughter Mary (Terry) Derosier, son Paul (Theresa) Martinson, as well as his five grandchildren, Anne Marie (Joseph) Muench, Mark Derosier, Grace Derosier, Alex (Corey) Shortt, and Michelle Martinson. He was preceded in death by his wife, Rose, an infant son, and his parents Alfred and Maureen.

Funeral service will be Saturday April 27th at 10:30am at Church of St. Augustine in St. Cloud, MN with a luncheon to follow. There will be visitation at the church one hour prior to the service. A private burial will be at a later date.