Earl Victor Maertens

Earl Victor Maertens was born on January 31, 1923, in Grandview Township, to Hero and Mary (Buysse) Maertens. He grew up and attended school in Ghent. Earl served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. After his discharge, he returned to the Ghent area. On November 23, 1948, he was united in marriage to Dorothy Maeyaert. The couple farmed near Tracy and later Porter. In November of 1975, they moved to Marshall. Earl enjoyed playing cards, fishing, gardening and watching the MN Twins. He was a member and usher at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, a former member of the Holy Name Society in Taunton, and was a member of the American Legion and VFW. He died on Monday, October 20, 2008, at the Veteran’s Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. Earl is survived by his wife, Dorothy, of Marshall, children Kathleen (David) Schreurs of Tyler, Patricia (Wayne) Peltier of Cottonwood, Lora (Douglas) Lindsley of Lynd, Brenda (Curtis) Hanson of Proctor, 14 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, brothers Donald (Arlene) Maertens, David (Lorraine) Maertens and Richard (Irene) Maertens, sisters Sr. Grace Maertens and Doris (Harold) Peterson. He was preceded in death by his parents, children Dennis, Alan and infant daughter Mary, brother Hero Maertens Jr., and sister Joan Versaeval.