Thomas Martell

Thomas W. Martell of Somerset, Wisconsin died peacefully at home surrounded by family on August 12 following a 19-month battle with cancer. Born Dec. 19, 1947 in St. Paul MN, he grew up in Somerset, WI and graduated in the Somerset Class of 1965. He enlisted in the U.S. Army at age 17. He enrolled in Officer Candidate School and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant at age 19. He married Marjorie Ann Watters of Somerset, WI in a military ceremony at Augusta, Georgia on June 2, 1967.

Tom left for Vietnam on April 1, 1968. As a 1st Lieutenant, he led a platoon for 6 months and served as a company commander for his remaining 6 months in Vietnam.

He was promoted to Captain and resided with his wife, Marjorie, in Fort Lewis, WA. Their first child, Elizabeth, was born in 1970. A son, Matthew, was born 2 years later.

Martell's Army career spanned more than two decades. During that time, he earned a B.A. from UW-River Falls and an M.A. from Westminster College, Westminster, Maryland, where he also taught ROTC. The family also lived in Fort Monmouth NJ, Fort Leavenworth KS, Fort Hood TX, and Germany. The family returned to Somerset WI in 1986 following Tom's retirement from the Army as a Lt. Colonel. Tom built rental properties and worked in marketing for Preco (then Laser Machining). An advocate of education and public service, he was a Somerset School Board member from 1987 to 2004, including 16 years as Board Chair. During that time, the school campus expanded to serve a growing population with a new high school, new elementary school and renovated middle school. He also served on the WI Indianhead Technical College Board from 1995 to 2000 and was a sustaining member of MN Public Radio.

At age 45, Tom was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 26 years, Marjorie Ann. In 2001 he married Deborah (nee Streuli).

Tom and Deb created and managed a five acre wine grape vineyard near Somerset called Martell Vineyards. Tom and Deb were known for developing a sense of community among volunteers who joined their annual harvests. Tom was a board member of the MN Grape Growers Association for 10 years, including six as President.

Survivors include: his loving wife and grape-growing partner of 11 years, Deborah; parents, Lester and Yvonne Martell of Somerset; daughter, Liz, and son-in-law, Ken Walsh, Arlington VA; son, Matt, and daughter-in-law, Priya, Chicago IL; granddaughters Clare, Eleanor, Amy and Gemma Walsh. Siblings: Sandra (Norm) Hanson, Roseville MN, Dean (Gail) Martell, Whitefish Bay WI; Loren (Karen) Martell, Duluth; Bruce (Heidi) Martell, Somerset; Renee (Chuck) Seaman, Ankeny IA; Cheri (Bob) Olson, Stillwater MN; Brian Martell, Hudson WI; and Scott Martell, Osceola WI; and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by in-laws Don and Pat Streuli of Cumberland, WI; Jody Streuli (Jim Rutledge) of Blaine MN; Dan (Mary) Streuli, and Jim Streuli all of Rice Lake WI; Tom (June) Watters, and Chuck Watters all of Dallas TX, John (Kathy) Watters; and Marcia (Jim) Chandler all of Somerset, and Bob (Tomasina) Watters of Hudson WI. He is also survived by long-time friend and hunting partner, Fred Henzler, Sr. of Somerset, WI; and, by the world's best lap dog, Chinook, a miniature American Eskimo.

A Celebration of Life for Thomas W. Martell will be held on Friday, August 17 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM with a time of sharing at 6:30 PM at Bradshaw Celebration of Life Center, 2800 Curve Crest Boulevard, Stillwater MN. A funeral mass will be held at St. Anne's Catholic Church in Somerset, WI on Saturday, August 18 at 11 AM with visitation for one hour before the service.

Memorials to St. Anne's Catholic Church or to the MN Grape Grower Association's (MGGA) Elmer Swenson Scholarship Fund for viticulture students.