Nancy Lee Martinson, 87

Nancy Martinson, 87, passed away peacefully in Kalispell on May 28. Nancy was born Aug. 19, 1935 in Milwaukee, Wisc. She was the third and youngest daughter of Charles and Helen Wolf.

After graduating from high school, she went to work in the business office, at her father’s wrecking ball company. It was there that a friend set her up on a blind date with the man of her dreams, Al Martinson. While they attended the same high school, she had not met him until that fateful night. He took her to a production of "Brigadoon," to this day, her favorite musical.

She waited patiently as Al served in the U.S. Army and completed his college education at University of Wisconsin. They married in April of 1959.

In the early 1960s they moved around often, for Al’s work took him to Georgia and then back to numerous towns in Wisconsin. All four children were born in Wisconsin. In 1970, the Martinson family sold the family car, bought a pick-up truck and moved to Kalispell, where Nancy and Al would set down strong roots and raise their four children Barbara, Alan, Ruth and Mark.

Nancy was the glue that held the family together as Al’s “summer season” with the U.S. Forest Service often kept him in the woods most of the summer months. She ran herd on a bunch of kids who were often on a mission to drive her crazy. We honestly don’t know how she survived our childhood years.

Nancy was very involved in her community. The church was very important to Nancy and she dove right in at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, volunteering her services for many decades. She sang soprano in the church choir and lent her solo voice at Christmastime and Easter. She and her best friend Mavis cooked and served Wednesday meals to the youth Luther League when the kids were teenagers. Later on, she was the church wedding coordinator, catering to many brides.

Nancy also volunteered at Hedges grade school in the early 70s. She was affectionately known as the “Swish Swash” lady who delivered the fluoride treatments room to room as well as the “Hot Dog Days” lady. Nancy was truly everyone’s mom. One time she even agreed to a last minute cast party after a high school musical. Over 100 kids showed up that rainy Sunday afternoon to our house. She didn’t bat an eye, just kept bringing our dad more hamburger patties for the grill with a huge smile on her face. She lived to entertain, and loved a good party.

Nancy joined Jobs Daughters, a Masonic organization, as a young woman, and later became a member of Eastern Star, also a Masonic organization. When her daughters joined Jobs Daughters in their teen years, she jumped back in full force. She was a great asset to Bethel #14, volunteering for many fundraisers, even becoming the Bethel Guardian. When the state convention was held in Kalispell, she took the lead in the planning of all aspects of the four day event. It went off spectacularly. She was proud of building such a wonderful bethel full of great young women.

After Al passed away suddenly in January of 1987, Nancy’s new passion was learning to drive … at the age of 52. Teaching her how to drive was left to her son in law Ricky, as he drew the short straw. He was nominated for, and received his sainthood for his bravery on the battlefield.

Nancy was a loving friend to all who knew her. She was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother. She loved Kalispell and the community she raised four children in.

She will be missed by her children, Barb and Rick (Kimbell) in Beaver Dam, Ariz., Al and Diane in Kalispell, Ruth and Tim (Garrett) in Wichita Falls, Texas, and Mark and Kim in Kalispell; her grandchildren, Stacia in Ft. Worth, Texas, Brian in Kalispell and Aaron in Wichita Falls.

Her funeral will be held at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home on Tuesday June 6, 2023 at 11 a.m..

In lieu of flowers, donations to Hospice Care would be greatly appreciated.