Roger Raymond Martin

Roger Raymond Martin was born near Redfield, Iowa to Karl and Vera Martin on August 27, 1930. He was called to his Heavenly Home on January 16, 2023 at the age of 92. He graduated from Redfield High School in 1948 where he met LaVonne Harmison, the kindergarten teacher who later became his wife. They were married on August 21, 1949 and enjoyed 73 years of marriage. Seven children were born into this union.

The family first lived on a small farm on Kennedy Station Road near Redfield. Roger farmed for his dad then later purchased his own home and land in Adel. He raised cows and pigs, bailed hay, and grew corn and soybeans. Roger and LaVonne later moved back to his dad’s farm near Redfield. With the addition of more farm land, Roger formed a partnership with Richard Ticknor for the past 28 years. Roger considered Tick to be one of his own children.

Roger and LaVonne built a 2nd home at Lake Panorama in 1970. They were members of the HALO club and Par 3 Golf Course where Roger shot a hole-in-one. He enjoyed golfing and playing cribbage, and never missed his “free” morning coffee at the Redfield Co-op.

Roger was an active member of the Adel Methodist Church, Adel School Board, PTA, Farm Bureau, Jaycees, Dallas County Pork Producers Association, and Co-op Board. He received an award for Outstanding Young Farmer of the Year. Roger and LaVonne spent many years playing cards with the neighborhood pitch club. He enjoyed attending school activities and sporting events with his children.

Each year Roger and LaVonne traveled with their 7 children in a station wagon and pop-up camper. They explored most all of the sights in every state west of the Mississippi River including an unforgettable bull fight in Mexico.

Roger also had many adventures in Alaska visiting his son David. In 1980, they worked above the Arctic Circle exploring for oil where it was -20 to -50 degrees. Roger also experienced commercial fishing for halibut and salmon on David’s boat.

In their retirement years, Roger and LaVonne travelled extensively in their motor home. They traveled south in the winter, visiting family and friends along the way. They also traveled south down the Mexican Peninsula and north on the Alcan Highway to Alaska. They traveled with tour groups to the Mayan Ruins in Mexico, Kenya Africa, Panama Canal, and St. Lawrence Seaway.

Roger farmed his entire life, still driving the tractor during harvest at age 90. He experienced many changes in farming from hand picking corn and throwing the ears into a wagon pulled by mules to the modern technology of today’s equipment.

Roger was a great man, husband, father, and grandad with a kind, gentle soul and generous heart. He was a humble man and grateful for his family, friends, and God in his life. He taught us the value of faith, family, and hard work. Roger had a long, rewarding life and will be greatly missed.

Roger is survived by his wife, LaVonne Martin; his children, Darwin Martin (Joyce) of Camdenton, MO, Natalie Pendroy (Jim) of Monroe, IA, David Martin (Karen) of Clam Gulch, AK, Dallas Martin of Adel, IA, Minalee Scheuerman of Camdenton, MO, and Duane Martin (Lorie) of Macks Creek, MO; seventeen grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; and 9 great-great-grandchildren.

Roger was preceded in death by his parents, Karl and Vera Martin; his son, Daniel Len; his brother, Gene Martin; and sister, Jeanine Freestone.