NEW ULM - Eugene C. "Red" Martinka, 88, of New Ulm died Wednesday, June 20, 2012 at the New Ulm Medical Center in New Ulm.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 25, 2012 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in New Ulm with Monsignor Douglas Grams celebrating the Mass. Burial will be in the New Ulm Catholic Cemetery with full military honors being conducted by the New Ulm Area Comrades of Valor Honor Guard.
Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Sunday and 7:30-10 a.m. Monday at the Minnesota Valley Funeral Home in New Ulm. There will be a St. Joseph/St. Elizabeth Catholic United and Knights of Columbus rosary at 5 p.m. and a parish prayer service at 6 p.m., both Sunday at the funeral home. To leave an online condolence for his family or to sign the guestbook go to: www.mvfh.org.
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Eugene 'Red' Martinka
Red is survived by his wife, Betty Martinka of New Ulm; daughter and son-in-law, Jean and Randy Frederickson of Willmar; sons and daughters-in-law, David and Lynn Martinka of New Ulm, Steven and Becky Martinka of Spicer, John and Holly Martinka of Chatfield; 12 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and a sister and brother-in-law, Mariann and Connie Schmid of Shakopee. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Bradley Martinka on Feb. 27, 1998; a sister, Jermayne Leavitt; and a brother, Fr. Stanley Martinka.
Eugene Charles Martinka was born on March 30, 1924 in Lucan to Alphonse and Marie (Goblirsch) Martinka. He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII. On Sept. 4, 1948 he was united in marriage to Elizabeth Dannheim at the St. Mary's Rectory in New Ulm. After marriage he owned and operated Martinka Motors. He also owned and operated Martinka Ambulance Service in New Ulm and provided the funeral coach for Minnesota Valley Funeral Home in New Ulm. In 2007 he sold his business and retired.
Red enjoyed singing with the St. Mary's Church choir and being a soloist at various functions, working with his hands, creating stained glass items, hunting, fishing, playing cards, and spending time with his children and grandchildren. Red was a member of the New Ulm Lions Club, New Ulm Concord Singers, D.A.V. Post 15 in New Ulm, Knights of Columbus-Fourth Degree, St. Joseph/St. Elizabeth Catholic United Council, and St. Mary's Catholic Church in New Ulm.