STOUGHTON - Mrs. Violet G. Martinson, age 86, passed away at the Skaalen Home in Stoughton on Sunday, March 15, 2009. She was born on January 5, 1923 in Yankee Hollow, rural Blanchardville, WI to her parents Melvin and Alena (Gulson) Gilbertson. Violet attended the Loyalty School. Violet was baptized and confirmed at the Adams Lutheran Church and was a member of the York Memorial Lutheran Church for many years. On June 12, 1940 she was united in marriage to Abert Martinson in Argyle, WI. Violet farmed with her husband in the Mt. Horeb, New Glarus, and Monticello area until 1961 when they moved to Madison. She then worked as a receptionist for Bowman Dairy and as a cashier at Famous Footwear until retiring. Violet enjoyed crafting especially beaded jewelry making and gardening. She was proud to have been an excellent homemaker for her family.
Violet is survived by: two daughters, Sharon (Don) Cepican of Libertyville, IL and Shirley (Rick) Kiesling of Stoughton, WI; a son, Randy (Julie) Martinson of Madison, WI; a daughter-in-law, Jane Martinson of New Glarus, WI; nine grandchildren; Kelly, Brian, Ryan, Shaun, Tracy, Angela, Jon, Jay, and Janeen; eight great-grandchildren; a sister, Avis (Homer) Hendrickson; a sister-in-law, Inga Thompson; special friend, Jane Ruchti and family; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Abert; son, Ronald; four sisters, Lenore Dammen, Twilla Dammen, Mildred Nyhus, and Elaine Gackstatter; and a brother, Sanford Gilbertson.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 20, 2009 at the Swiss United Church of Christ, 18 5th Ave., New Glarus, WI with the Rev. Jim Koza of The Skaalen Home and the Rev. Mark Petersen of Covenant Lutheran Church officiating with burial in the York Memorial Cemetery.
Relatives and friends may call from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 19, 2009 at the Zentner-Beal Funeral Home, 29 6th Ave., New Glarus, WI.
A special thank you to Skaalen Home unit five and HospiceCare Inc. for their compassionate care.