Delores Lolly Martin

Lolly was born in Wilmar, MN on Dec. 27, 1921. She was one of 9 children born to Enoch and O'della Ekblad. She married Cecil Martin in 1940. They welcomed a daughter, Eileen while residing in Wilmar, MN.

Cecil was preparing to leave to serve in WWII. He took his new family to California. Lolly joined her mother and sister whose spouses were also serving overseas. During this time, Lolly, her sister and mother worked in an airplane factory. They staggered their shifts so one was always home to watch the little ones. Lolly often took lunch to her family at the factory.

After the war, Cecil and Lolly moved to Fort Collins along with her brother Alvoy Ekblad and her father, Enoch Ekblad. Together the men bought a piece of land and began Fort Collins Nursery. Cecil and Lolly added sons Gary in 1949 and Gerald in 1953 to the family. They built 4 houses on the property to house the family. Later, Cecil and Lolly sold their interest in the Nursery and built another house on Maple Street. Lolly lived in the house from 1958 until she passed.

Lolly was a leader in 4H and very active in Extension Club, the Fort Collins Rock Hound Club and Trinity Lutheran Church. She also loved to bowl and was in a league for many years. She worked as a wallpaper hanger and house painter. Lolly loved to make things from Christmas ornaments to many types of decorations and was an exceptional artist. Lolly and her daughter Eileen owned the Corner Shop in downtown Fort Collin for several years where they sold their crafts and rocks. Lolly was a kind and loving person and always wanted to be surrounded by family. She enjoyed going rock hunting and visiting the mountains where she often painted outdoors. She touched the lives of so many with her gentle spirit.

Lolly was preceded in death by her husband Cecil, brothers Alvoy, Charles, Elmond, James and sisters Margery, Vangie, Dorothy, and Eunice. Lolly is survived by daughter Eileen (Larry), and sons Gary (Sheila) and Gerald (Denise), 5 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, and 3 great great grandchildren.

A memorial Service and Reception will be held on Nov 29th at 11:00 a.m. at Resthaven, 8426 South Highway 287, Fort Collins.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial donations go to Trinity Lutheran Church or Pathways Hospice.