Judy A. Martins, 74, of Willmar died Monday, April 15, at Abbott-Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, April 22, 2013, at Church of St. Mary in Willmar with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Sunday, April 21, at Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Willmar and on Monday one hour prior to the service at the church.
Judy Ann was born October 27, 1938, in Maricopa Co., AZ, the daughter of Orville M. and Cordie M. (Bishop) Payne. At a young age, the family moved to Altus, OK, where she received her schooling. Following high school, Judy met a young Air Force man from MN, James D. "Buzz" Martins, stationed at Altus Air Force Base. They were married the following year on March 7, 1957. Following Buzz's discharge from the service, they moved to Willmar, MN, where they lived until 1977, when they moved to Nest Lake near Spicer and later to New London. They returned to Willmar in 2006.
Judy worked as a cook in the Willmar Public Schools for several years and also as a lab tech for the U of MN Poultry Testing Lab in Willmar. Later, she became co-owner and manager of Millpond Liquor Mart in New London, prior to selling the business in 2004.
Judy was a member of Church of St. Mary where she had been active with the Fall Dinners, Holiday Bazaars and also with CCW. She was a member of American Legion Auxiliary Post #537 in New London.
Her family remembers her love for animals, especially wildlife and birds. She enjoyed watching and feeding both. Her hobbies included crocheting, knitting, quilting and canning. She looked forward to the holidays and loved decorating for Christmas. She enjoyed traveling and the years she and Buzz spent wintering in Donna, TX. She looked forward to family gatherings and visits with her grandchildren, of whom she was so proud of.
Surviving is her husband, Buzz; children, Ray "Buzzy" (and Chris) Martins, Darrell (and DeAnn) Martins, and John Martins, all of Willmar; six grandchildren, Abby Martins, Ben Martins, Nikita (and Nick) Hanson, Garrett Martins, Amanda (and Joe) DeGroot, Jordan Martins; and great-granddaughter, Greta Fernholz. Also surviving are her sisters, Dorothy (and Bob) Scalan, Shirley Garrett, and Leah Rodriguez, all of Oklahoma City, OK; brother-in-law, Richard Halterman of Willmar; and several nieces, nephews and other family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brother-in-law, Ed Garrett; sister-in-law, Betty Halterman; niece Valerie and nephews, Joe and Virgil.