Lonnie Martinmaas
December 18, 1957 ~ July 31, 2016
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Lonnie T. Martinmaas, 58, of Orient, passed away Sunday, July 31, 2016 at the Faulkton Area Medical Center. He may have gone home to be with the Lord, but was a hero, saving the life of his brother, Rick.
Visitation was held from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., Thursday, August 4, 2016 at Luce Funeral Home, Faulkton.
Funeral Mass was held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, August 8, 2016 at St. Liborius Catholic Church, Polo, with Fr. Christopher Hughes, Fr. Chester Murtha, and Fr. Thomas Clement con celebrating. Burial followed in Mount Calvary Cemetery, Polo. A prayer service was held at 7:00 p.m., Sunday, August 7, 2016 at the church, with visitation one-hour prior.
On December 18, 1957, William and Wanelda Coletta (Miller) Martinmaas welcomed Leon Thomas into the family at Faulkton. Over the years he has become known to many as: Lonnie, Lon, Sweet Lou, or Big Lou. He attended school in St. Liborius, where he was active in football, and basketball, graduating in 1976. He went on to Southern State Vocational School in Springfield, SD, receiving his degree in diesel mechanics.
Lonnie returned to the farm, devoting all of himself and time to the cattle he loved. He was the president of Martinmaas Dairy Inc. and Martinmaas Realty Inc.
To know Lon was to love Lon. He worked hard and he played hard. Everyone knew him for his great one-liners and him always making time to visit. Lon was every niece and nephew’s favorite uncle. His kind, gentle ways won over every child’s heart. Lon loved all sports in his younger years. In recent days you might find him shooting a game of pool, tossing a few bean bags or throwing a game of darts, and of course hunting with his good friends.
Lon was a die-hard “Jets” and “Mets” fan. He truly was that person who cheered for the underdog. Lon was a selfless man, who would give the shirt off his back to help anyone. With saddened hearts, the family says good-bye to their gentle giant. They will miss his smile and infectious laugh. Sweet Lou, “you’re the best!”
Lonnie’s life will be remembered by his father, William Martinmaas, Orient; his siblings: Ray (Becky) Martinmaas, Orient, Randy (Jan) Martinmaas, Orient, Sandy (Larry) Aesoph, Highmore, Kathy (Gary) Remmers, Orient, Paulette (Charlie) Appelhof, Kranzburg, Rick (Patty) Martinmaas, Orient, Lori (Mike) Kalkman, Miranda, Julie (Rod) Spartz, Kranzburg, Mike (Laura) Martinmaas, Orient, Mary Lynn (Tom) Lesselyoung, Redfield, Brad (Shelly) Martinmaas, Orient; his godparents, Tom Loomer and Cele Loomer and his nieces and nephews.
He will be welcomed into heaven by his loving mother, Wanelda Martinmaas; sister-in-law, Janet Martinmaas; nieces: Patricia Kalkman, Kelly Aesoph and Wanelda “Little Nel” Aesoph; one nephew, Jason Aesoph; and one great nephew, Alex Christensen.
In lieu of flowers, memorial are directed to the Faulkton Area Medical Center Foundation, PO Box 100, Faulkton, SD 57438.
Luce Funeral Home of Faulkton has been entrusted with Lonnie’s arrangements.
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God. Sorry to here about Lonnie an Randy, Our hearths go out to them both an their families.
Hugs and prayers for Lonnie’s entire family. Cherish the memories and hold them dear to your heart. What a super guy taken too soon. RIP Lonnie
I am so deeply sorry for the loss of Lonnie. Have been praying continuously for the family and for Rick to pull through. May God keep you all wrapped in his arms and give you all comfort.
I am so very sorry to hear about the accident and the passing of Lonnie. Thoughts and prayers to all his family and friends mourning his loss. Heaven gained a wonderful angel.
I’m so so sorry to hear about this. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Ken and I were saddened to hear about the accident with Lonnie and Rick. Our deepest sympathy goes out to the entire family. Our prayers are also with Rick and family for his recovery. Our love and prayers are with you all, Ken and Judy Ortmeier
Lonnie was such an awesome guy!! Always had a smile on his face and would help anyone anytime. May God wrap his arms around you, Martinmaas family, and give you strength during this tragic time. Heaven is so lucky to have such an amazing angel!!
Lonnie will be missed by everyone he came in contact with. My sympathies to you all. Praying for Rick.
My heart breaks for your family.
My heart goes out to the Martinmaas family. Lou was one of the kindest souls I’ve ever met. Prayers for Rick’s full recovery. God bless.
Our deepest sympathies to all the Martinmaas’ during this very difficult time. Our thought and prayers are with all of you. May you find strength in your memories of Lonnie. Hold them close to your hearts. God Bless each and everyone of you.
Our deepest sympathy to the Martinmaas family. Our prayers are with you all and especially to Rick.
Our deepest sympathy, our thoughts and prayers are with you all Paul, Jan , Aaron and Ashley
Our prays are with your family so sorry we both loved that man and friend our prays are with Rick and family
RIP my friend
So sorry for the loss of your loved one. My prayers are with your entire family.
So sorry for your loss. Our prayers go out to the Martinmaas family… Lonnie was a great guy. He will be missed🙏
so sorry.to.hear this our thoughts and.prayer for your loss. Prayers also for Rick
So very sorry to hear the passing of Lonnie He truly was a great guy always a happy greeting Praying for family and god will help with his love for Lonnie and family One good thing Lonnie is in a better place
Sorry for your loss he will be missed alot Our Deepest Sympathy Dr. Dick and Kathy Splichal
Sorry to hear of the passing of our friend Sweet Lou. RIP..
Such a sad sad happening – prayers for the entire family
The world lost a sweet, gentle man way too soon. My deepest sympathies to you all.
Thoughts and prayers are with the whole Martinmaas family. Lonnie is a hero!! Rest in peace Lonnie!
Thoughts and prayers to the entire Martinmaas family he will be greatly missed.
We along with Lonnie’s family and friends mourn the loss of this special guy in our community. Always a smile for everyone, which will be greatly missed. May our thoughts and prayers bring you comfort and peace. Special prayers being sent up for Rick and family.
We are so very sorry about the lost you have suffered are prayers are with you all
With Deepest Respect and Sincerest Sympathy for Lonnie Martinmaas, and entire family… R.I.P. Dear Man, you were a Wonderful man with a Giant Heart, it was always a pleasure to see you…you will be missed far and wide, our community shall surely never be the same without you in it…. My prayers and thoughts are with Rick for a safe recovery and for all of their family…my heart hurts so much for you all….
I am a classmate of Rick and Lon’s but have been away from Polo for a long time. In reading through all the tributes on Lonnie’s page, it makes me smile to see Lonnie hasn’t changed much from high school. I mean that in the best way. He was a big laid back guy; smooth and smiling. Just look at his picture. This is the Lonnie I remember. Forever young. I will miss you Lonnie
Lost truly one of the great ones here on this earth!! Can only imagine the celebration in heaven…..
My heart goes out to you Kathy, Gary, Mary and the rest of the Martinmaas family! Sweet Lou will forever be missed by more than anyone knows! His smile, laughter and gracious heart will be etched in memories abound!
My prayers and thoughts are with the family at this time. The loss of Lonnie can not be encapsulated by mere words. He lived life with a zest that most of us can only dream about. He touched all that knew him, if in the recent times or in times years gone past. God Bless the family and God will also keep Rick improving with our prayers.
Our deepest sympathy at the loss of Lonnie. Always fun and laughs when he was around. He was a great guy. Praying hard for Rick’s recovery.
Our deepest sympathy for your loss of Lonnie to the entire Martinmaas family. Our prayers are with Rick for a full recovery.
Our sympathies to the Martinmaas family, your brother was agree at guy, who will be missed by many. Love you all and God bless you.
So sorry for your loss Thoughts and Prayers to the Family Will miss your smile and your jokes Sweet Lou
So sorry to hear of your tragic loss We pray for God’s comfort and peace for all Lonnie’s family and friends.
Terrible tragedy, my deepest sympathies to the entire Martinmaas family, Bill, his brothers and sisters, Uncle Joe, other aunts and uncles, nephews and nieces. I always enjoyed Lonnie’s never ending smile and for chasing down my pheasants for me. We will continue to pray for Rick.
We are so saddened to here of Lonnie’ death and your family tragedy. We hold you in our hearts, thought, and prayers. Peace.
We are so sorry to hear of this tragic loss. Our prayers go out to the family for healing now. If we can be of any help, please let us know. Nancy and Jerry
We were so very sorry to hear about this tragedy. Keeping your family in our thoughts and prayers. Steve and Virginia Zaloudek
Words cannot express the sadness & hurt we feel for your family. Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers, asking the Lord to help you feel his presence during this difficult journey for your family. The blessing of a big family is you have each other to lean on, cry with and lift each other up. We will continue to pray for family and Rick’s full recovery & healing. Kurt, Dory, Shantel, Kendra, Payton, Natasha & Justin
You will be missed Lon. You were always a joy to work with and always kept me on my toes. Prayers for your family.
Dear Bill, Our deepest sympathy to you and your family. May the memories of Lonnie be for a blessing to you all. Our thoughts are with you and wish you peace. Always, Thomas Kemper Marianne Feldhaus-Kemper Sebastian, Vera and Anna Schmallenberg Germany
I had the privilege of working beside Lonnie even though I was not able to keep up with him. My heart goes out to his family at this difficult time.
I’m struggling for the right words. Please accept my condolences.
Mike and I extend our deepest sympathies to all of the family of Lonnie. We did not know him personally but I know coming from Mary, our sister-in-law, he was one special man to all who knew him and was very dedicated to his family. Our prayers go out for all the family as well as get well wishes and prayers for Brother, Rick. Peace and Blessings, Linda and Mike Lesselyoung
Our deepest sympathy to Julie, Paulette and the entire Martinmaas family. May God comfort all of you during this difficult time. Also, prayers for Rick’s speedy recovery.
Our deepest sympathy to Paulette, Julie and all of the Martinmaas Family. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Prayers for Rick for healing.
Prayers for strength to the family and continued recovery for Rick. A large shock and he’ll be missed!!
Prayers to you all what a loss to family and Community so very sorry about all of it we are thinking of your entire family God bless !!
So sorry for your loss. Praying for Rick. Dixie Johnson
Thoughts and prayers to the family. Lonnie will be missed, but our memories of him will live on. A true kindhearted spirit. God Bless!
May God Bless all of your family at this very difficult time in your lives. Hold on to all the happy memories as no one can take them away. Wanda and Lonnie are watching over all of you. So sorry for the loss of another member of your wonderful family.
My heart aches for all of you. I have just finished reading all the wonderful tributes about Lonnie. It is clear he held a special place in the hearts of many. His absence will be felt by many for years to come. I hope you know that all of you have my most sincere thoughts of love and sympathy.
Our deepest sympathies for the Martinmas family! So sad to hear this news. Our thoughts and prayers are with you! May God hold you in the palm of his hand. Amen.
Prayers for the Martinmaas Families. RIP Lonnie.
We are so very sorry for the loss of Lon. It sounds like he was a very special man. He will be missed by anyone who knew him. We were not that lucky. Sending our deepest sympathy and prayers to all of you. God be with you and comfort you.
With sincere Sympathy to the family in the loss of your loved one. Lonnie always had a smile or a hand shake for anyone he met. My prayers are with you, and extended prayers for a strong and full recovery for Rick. God speed
Dear family, May God heal your broken hearts, and touch Rick in the hospital. Lonnie leaves a hole in hearts that only God can fill. It’s an honor to have known Lonnie, his kindness was second to none, his smile was genuine and refreshing. Lonnie was a great Guy! We are praying for Lonnie’s family, and praying for another great guy, Rick. May you feel God’s love and presence. Jeff and Lesa Svennes
Julie, Paulette and families, you are in our thoughts and prayer at this very sad time.
Lifting the Martinmaas family in prayer.
Lonnie touched so many lives with his charm and sense of humor. Our condolences to all, he will be missed.
No greater love then that of a Brother. Prayers to the family and friends, he will surely be missed by all.
Our deepest sympathies to Paulette, Julie and the entire Martinmaas family. May God continue to wrap his arms around all of you, especially Rick right now and heal you. May your faith keep your hearts from hurting so much and may the memories keep Lonnie’s laughter and love alive in your hearts as well. Blessings of strength in the coming days! Todd and LeAnn
Sending condolences to the Martinmaas Families. Heartfelt sympathy to all.
Thoughts and prayers to your family. So sorry for your loss. Prayers for Rick as well.
Dear Family of Lon, You have my deep empathy at this time of Lon’s death. Our faith tells us that this is the time of his glorification– that’s what Jesus called death. "I go to Jerusalem to be be glorified." With prayer, Sr. Mary Lou Geraets Presentation Convent Aberdeen, SD
Our deepest sympathies to all the Martinmaas’ during this very difficult time. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Cherish those wonderful memories of Lonnie and never let them go. Hugs to each and every one of you.
Our deepest sympathy to the Martinmaas. Lonnie was one special guy and we enjoyed visiting with him and hearing his stories. May he rest in peace. Laree & Jerry Giovannettone
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. I will have a mass offered for Lonnie. May God give you strength and comfort. Love, Wally and Joan McKown
Sorry for your loss. Prayers for your loss of Lonnie and for Rick’s healing. May the Lord comfort you in this difficult time.
This really sucks. Love to all .
All my thoughts and prayers are with the family suffering from this terrible loss. Lonnie always quick with his dry sense of humor and big smile made you feel good laugh every time. He will certainly be missed and remembered fondly.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you today and the days to come. He will be remembered for his contagious attitude and infectious smile. He lived life to the fullest and will be missed by all who knew him.
I always remember his warm smile and how he always made me feel welcome
Our sympathy to the family of Lon and also prayers for Rick.