Richard Charles Maertens was born on October 8, 1931, in Grandview Township, to Hero and Mary (Buysse) Maertens. He grew up and attended school in Ghent. Dick left his sophomore year to complete his high school education at Crosier Seminary. He continued at Crosier and St. Paul Seminaries for seven additional years. In the late 1950s, he began his career with John Deere. On August 30, 1958, he was united in marriage to Irene Mercie at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church. Because of Dick’s career with John Deere, the couple lived in Minneapolis, Bismarck, ND, Marshall and Tracy. In 1964 they moved to Tracy where he purchased the implement dealership which became Maertens, Inc. In 1968, he established D & M Implement with Donald DeRuyck in Marshall, and in 1977 he established Southwest Implement in Tyler in partnership with Butch Stelter and later Charlie Swenson. Dick retired in 1983 and moved back to Marshall with Irene in 2000. He and Irene enjoyed traveling and visited locations all over the world. They wintered in Naples, Florida, for 29 years. He also enjoyed golfing, fishing, hunting and woodworking. He was most passionate about spending time with his family. Many fond memories came from time spent at the family cabin and other family gatherings. Dick was a member of the Knights of Columbus 4th Degree, the SMSU Foundation Board, and was a 35 year member of the Bank Board in Tracy.
Dick passed away on Saturday, August 31, 2013, at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, SD, after suffering a stroke earlier in the week. He is survived by his wife, Irene, of Marshall, children Steve (and Mary) of Marshall, Teresa (and Bradley) Mitteness of rural Ghent, Debra (and Rick) Deutz of rural Ghent, John “Jack†(and Lisa) of Chaska, Sandra (and Michael) O’Rourke of New Prague, son-in-law Brian Kelly of Madison Lake, 25 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, siblings Donald (and Arlene) of Marshall, Sister Grace Maertens of St. Paul, David (and Lorraine) of Ghent, Doris Peterson of Danube, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, twin children Paul Maertens and Pamela Kelly, grandchildren Jason Maertens, Martin Hill and siblings Hero Maertens Jr., Joan Versaevel and Earl Maertens.
“Dick†with his big heart and love of life will always be remembered.â€
