Dorothy Marten

Private family services will be held for Dorothy Marten, age 95, of Spirit Lake. Dorothy (Van Dusen) Marten was born November 12, 1919 in Vail, Iowa to William and Bertha Van Dusen. Dorothy received her education at Vail High School. On June 1, 1942, Dorothy was united in marriage to Willis A. Marten at Denison, Iowa. For the first few years of their married life, Dorothy and Willis lived in Denison, Iowa, Whittier, California and Fullerton, California. In 1971, Willis and Dorothy moved to Spirit Lake, Iowa. While in Spirit Lake, Willis and Dorothy operated Sandbar Beach Resort on Spirit Lake for thirteen years. They made many friends over the years at Sandbar Beach . Dorothy was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She was an excellent cook and enjoyed cooking and baking for her family. Dorothy was also an avid sports fan. While living in California, she was a Dodgers fan and became a member of the Dodgers Booster Club. Over the last few years, she enjoyed her occasional trips to the Wild Rose Casino in Emmetsburg. Dorothy passed away Thursday, June 25, 2015 at Hilltop Care Center at the age of ninety-five. Those left to cherish Dorothy's memory include her son, Martin V. Marten and his wife, Melinda; her daughter, Deb Wenzel and her husband, Ed and grandson , George Marten, Deb's son. Other survivors include Dorothy's sister, Mary Knickerbocker and her husband Nick and many nieces and nephews. Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Willis and her sister, Elma.