Harry Martell

Harry Martell, 90, of Aberdeen, SD, died Thursday, November 3, 2022, at Avera St. Luke’s in Aberdeen.

Harry Herbert Martell was born September 18, 1932, to Jacob and Magda (Mohr) Martell, near Hosmer, SD. After his father was killed in a farm accident when Harry was young, he helped his mom on the farm.

On February 26, 1953, he entered the US Army and was stationed in Germany. He was honorably discharged on February 23, 1955 and returned home to the farm.

On May 28, 1957, he married Vivian Wiederrich in Hosmer. They rented a farm together. In 1966, he worked as a police officer for the city of Hosmer. Along with that job he also worked as the meter reader and performed city maintenance. In 1970 Harry went to work at Hansen Motors in Redfield, SD. He then worked with the South Dakota Department of Transportation in 1975 and worked there until he retired in 1995. After that, he worked for the SD Department of Transportation part time. Over the years, Harry worked part time as a janitor at various places in Redfield.

In 2007, Harry and Vivian moved to Aberdeen.  Harry was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Aberdeen and was a past member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Redfield. He was also a member of the American Legion while in Hosmer.

Harry collected horse figurines, loved fishing, tinkering with cars, and enjoyed going on walks. He was a talented carpenter and made a camper and remodeled their house. Harry enjoyed traveling and going on family vacations.

Grateful for having shared Harry’s life are his wife Vivian Martell; children: Doreen & (James) Bjornson, Harlan Martell, Danny (Rebecca) Martell, Monte Martell, and Janeen (Paul) Coyan; grandchildren: Jason (Shannon) Bjornson, Melissa Bjornson, Jesse (Samantha) Bjornson, Michael (Jennifer) Hanson, Susan (Sam) Casper, Joshua (Amy) Martell, Erik (Brittany) Coyan, and Thomas Coyan; great-grandchildren: Jayden Hillen, Mason Kuhn, Nicholas Bjornson, Daisy Kuhn, Harley Bjornson, Leland Bjornson, Lilly Bjornson, Taylor Eason, Brett (Desiree) Eason, Samuel Casper, Gracen Casper, Mallory Casper, Oliver Martell, and Benjamin Martell; and great great-grandchild Jaylee Eason.

Preceding Harry in death are his parents Jacob and Magda Martell; siblings: Jacob Martell, Lydia Martell, Helen Martell, Eugene Martell, and Howard Martell.