Michael Lawrence Martens

Michael Lawrence Martens, 80, passed away on March 5, 2026, at Fieldstone of DeWitt Senior Living. Per his wishes, cremation rites have been accorded, and his final resting place will be at Rock Island National Cemetery. A private committal service will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made at StopSoldierSuicide.org.

Michael was born March 10, 1945, in Davenport, Iowa to Lawrence (Lou) and Mae (Plagmann) Martens. He graduated from Davenport West High School in 1963 and shortly after, met the love of his life, Sharon McMaines. Sharon stopped one too many times at the Mobile Gas Station where he worked, and he finally got the hint and asked her out. They got married on April 21, 1966, at the Augustana Seminary Chapel and went on to enjoy 58 more years in each other’s company.

Michael was drafted into the United States Army shortly after graduating from Palmer Junior College and got an all-expense paid trip to Viet Nam. He spent 1967 there as a U.S. Army mailman. Upon returning home, he was hired by the Iowa-Illinois Gas and Electric Company, which was later acquired by MidAmerican Energy. He spent his entire career there as a Drafting Technician and retired in 2010.

Michael especially enjoyed cars. Looking at cars, talking about cars, and working on cars. Sharon often joked that he married her for her 1965 Ford Mustang. Michael kept that Mustang running until 1987. During his lifetime he also owned a 1937 Chevy and was in the process of customizing a 1953 Chevy Bel Air in retirement when his Parkinson's disease got the better of him. In 2019 he traded the Chevy in on a condo in Eldridge. He was a proud member of the Inliners International car club and he and Sharon took many vacations with club members across the country.

Those left to honor Michael’s memory include his children, Jeff (Diane) Martens of Eldridge, Iowa, and Lori (David) Martenson of Grand Haven, Michigan; four grandchildren, Grace (Cole) Eichelberger, Chloe Martens, Killian Martenson and Bainbridge Martenson; one brother, Tim Martens of Davenport and his son Ryan; and many other loving nieces and nephews, all of whom meant the world to him.

He was preceded in death by his wife Sharon and his parents.