James Martinson passed away on October 15, 2016 not long after being diagnosed with colon cancer, he was 83 years of age. James LaVerne Martinson was born in Wanderoos, Wisconsin on September 15, 1933 one of twelve children born to Arthur and Olga (Walby) Martinson. He grew up in Wanderoos and attended the Wanderoos School. He then worked on the family farm. In June of 1956 he joined the United States Army and was stationed in Germany. He served in the Army until 1958. James met Audrey Ann Marie Granger, at the wedding of his brother Chuck Martinson, and the two were wed on September 26, 1959. Together they had four sons. They made their home in Wanderoos where he worked at the lumber yard. He later went to work at UBC Lumber in New Richmond, retiring from there after 44 years. In 1979 they built a home outside of Wanderoos. He and Audrey enjoyed camping up north any chance they got. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, dancing, and gardening. Both James and Audrey were avid Packer and Wisconsin Badger fans. He was an avid bowler and bowled for the Wanderoos Lumber team and later Osceola Lumber. James continued bowling even after they moved up north. Once retired they moved up north to Webster and built a home next to the cabin they had used for years. After Audrey's death in 2007 James stayed busy with his gardening, canning and baking. He was always sharing his green beans, tomatoes, jelly, jam, cookies and his home made apple pie. James enjoyed going ice fishing with his dog Skippy. They would sit out on the ice for hours in the Blazer. As his health declined James had to move to Amery Memory Care. His dog Skippy was adopted by a family from Rice Lake. Skippy passed away on October 14, the day before James.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Audrey, son Kevin, brothers: Arden, Virgil, Maynard and Eugene; sisters: Alma and Dora, and granddaughter-in-law Jamie Martinson. He is survived by his sons: James Michael (Debbie) Martinson, Thomas Richard (Julie) Martinson and Michael Thomas (Julia) Martinson; brothers: Don (Ida) Martinson and Chuck (Doris) Martinson; sisters: Marlene (Bill) Libby, Marcella (Wendell) Viebrock, and Donna (Harry) Anderson; sister-in-law Lou Cosgrove; ten grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren and many other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, October 19, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at the Deronda Lutheran Church in rural Amery. Visitation will be held at the Williamson-White Funeral Home on Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m. and for the hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at the Amery Cemetery. You may sign an online guest book and view a video tribute at www.williamsonwhite.com. The Williamson-White Funeral Home and Cremation Services assisted the family.