Rev. Steven Paul Martens

Rev. Steven Paul Martens, age 70, of Tea, SD, passed away unexpectedly while on vacation in Clark Fork, Idaho. Funeral services will begin at 10:30 AM Friday, July 12, 2024, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Tea. Interment will follow at approximately 3:00 PM at St John Lutheran Cemetery, rural Dimock. Visitation will be from 5-7:00 PM Thursday, at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church or Lutheran Outdoors in South Dakota.

Steve was born on February 28, 1954, in Harlan, Iowa, to Harold and Oda (Vithin) Martens. He was baptized and confirmed at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Harlan and graduated from Harlan High School in 1972. He then graduated from Dana College in Blair, Nebraska in 1976. At Dana College he met Margery Lynn Stout and they were married on May 28, 1977 at Kountze Lutheran Church in Omaha. Steve then attended Luther Seminary in St. Paul. He graduated in 1980 and began his life in ministry. Steve served Pollock & Herreid Lutheran Churches (1980-1986), St. John’s Lutheran Church, rural Dimock (1986-1995), First & St. Jacob’s Lutheran Churches, Colton (1995-2007), First Lutheran Church, Pipestone, MN (2007-2012), and Dalesburg Lutheran Church, Vermillion, Brule Creek Lutheran Church, Elk Point, and Pleasant Valley Lutheran Church, Vermillion (2012-2020). Following his retirement, he moved to Tea and attended Trinity Lutheran Church.

Steve was involved with soil conservation services and was a volunteer firefighter. He enjoyed attending various coffee groups in the communities he served and loved spending time outdoors. He was a movie nerd, history buff, and enjoyed reading, sampling craft beers, playing Dungeons and Dragons, and warming the bleachers at his children and grandchildren’s sporting events.

Survivors include his wife, Marge; daughter, Amy Martens; sons, Aaron Martens, Jacob (Rachel) Martens, and Joel (Jessica) Martens; grandchildren, Ophelia Martens, Lawson Martens, and Bo Martens; sister-in-law, Nancy Brannon; and brothers-in-law, Dave (Sandy) Stout and Lonnie Loeske. He was preceded in death by his parents.

“Blessed be his memory!”