Arlene Martin

Arlene Martin, 94, of Waukon, IA, died Friday, August 8, 2025, at the Good Samaritan Center in Waukon. Services will be held Saturday, August 16th, at 11:00 AM at Zion United Church of Christ in Waukon with burial to follow in Oakland Cemetery. Friends can greet the family from 4:00 to 7:00 PM Friday at Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon. The service will also be streamed on the funeral home's facebook page: www.facebook.com/martinfunerals .

Arlene Inez Martin was born in Waukon, IA, on December 29, 1930, the daughter of Ottenus and Clara Amanda (Knudtson) Bakke. She was raised on the family farm in the Elon area east of Waukon and was baptized and confirmed at the West Paint Creek Synod Lutheran Church. Her early schooling was at the rural Fan School not far from her farm and she liked to tell stories of cutting across the fields, climbing fences, trudging through snow, and avoiding a local bull to get there. She graduated from Waukon High School in 1948, where she took classes relating to secretarial and business duties, which led to a job at the Allamakee County Courthouse. It was there that she met Roger W. Martin, who was serving as the Allamakee County Auditor. Arlene and Roger were married on April 20, 1952, at her home church. Following a year in St. Louis, MO, where Roger attended the St. Louis College of Mortuary Science, they returned to Waukon, where Roger joined his family's business and Arlene began the busy life of a homemaker raising their three children.

Throughout the years, Arlene was involved in a wide variety of activities. She taught Sunday School and Confirmation classes at Zion United Church of Christ, faithfully followed all of her children's activities while they were in school, did some ceramic finishing, and raised a garden full of vegetables and flowers. She was involved in numerous community projects from fundraising for various causes to organizing and promoting youth events. She absolutely loved playing bridge, of course for the cards, but even more so to enjoy the company of the friends she played with. Another passion of hers was attending sales and auctions and collecting a wide variety of items ranging from antiques to coins to local memorabilia. Arlene and Roger both enjoyed stopping at a casino and traveling. In addition to seeing much of the US and several other countries, they spent many winters in Arizona, Florida, and Texas, where they escaped the cold in the company of local friends or by visiting their daughters.

Arlene was an avid sports fan, loyal to the Iowa Hawkeyes and Waukon Indians, and was also very proud of her Norwegian heritage. She loved to entertain, whether it was hosting one of the countless family holiday events or one of her trademark "theme" parties for friends. She had a flair for decorating and regularly used the things she collected to add to the festivities and as she aged that included a wardrobe full of sparkle and bling. Her two favorite times of the year were the Fourth of July and Christmas, causing many in the family to simply call her "Grandma Ho Ho".

As mobility became an issue, Arlene was able to secure the help of a number of caregivers that not only allowed her to spend an additional four years in her home, but many of them became close friends as they shared outings, nights on the town, games, and of course some gossip. During her final year at Good Samaritan, she took part in many activities and made fast friends with both residents and staff. Although the effect of her many years presented some physical limitations, she simply refused to let anything dampen her adventurous spirit.

Survivors include her three children: Dave (Laurie) Martin of Waukon, Mary Jo Martin of Dallas, TX, and Sarah (Hugh) Jones of Rockwall, TX; five grandchildren: Val (Josh) Miller, Greta (Ben) Stamper, Roger (Miranda) Martin, Cara (Jessie) Jones, and Charles Jones; 12 great-grandchildren: Dylan, Toby, River, Hayden, Layla, Eddie, Harry, Ellis, Freda, Oscar, Winston, and Maggie; a sister Shirley (Jim) Winke of Waukon; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded by her parents; her husband Roger (2014); and a sister Joyce (Ron) Hangartner.