Carroll was blessed to be born into a large family, the 11th of 13 children of Peter and Clara Martini, and born again as he placed his faith in Jesus when he was 52.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Millie Martini (affectionately, “Mill”) and his children by his first wife, Vince Martini (Debbie), Maureen Thompson, Barb Entleutner (Gary), Scott Martini, Allison Tharp (Jay), Steve Martini (Crystal), and step-children Terri Staller, Ted Staller (Kathy) and Amy Peters (Jason), 19 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. He has one remaining sibling, Joyce Hanauska, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Marty served in the Air Force stateside and proudly supported the military and USA. Marty’s career as a painter extraordinaire spanned many decades. He was quite proud of his time spent proving his amazing talent as a painter of airplanes with TWA, going on to paint homes, murals, office buildings, parking ramps…basically anything that didn’t move and some things that did!
This dear husband, brother, and father had an incurable wanderlust, traveling to Ireland, England, Germany, Italy, Hungary, Bulgaria, Mexico and around numerous states. He just couldn’t cure the travel bug and enjoyed meeting and talking with people everywhere. He also loved fishing, but it didn’t always love him – it’s possible more than one fishing rod was thrown in the river or lake in frustration. His favorite catch was a sturgeon on a deep-sea fishing excursion in Mexico.
He had a special aptitude for silly songwriting and singing with a voice like Dean Martin – a tune always accompanying his paint brush. He had a true talent with the palette as an artist but also painting many of the family homes after retirement. At 75, he painted the Hann family home (then owned by Vince and Debbie), stating, “this is the last house I’m painting.” Not true – he painted his own Becker home at 80!
His work ethic (dawn till dusk many a day) inspired all his children to work hard in the various careers they were led to. He was a tough dad, but also funny, caring and compassionate. Marty loved to joke and tease – rare if you were not on the receiving end. Though his own culinary skills were limited to grilling a burger or pickling, he enjoyed a good steak, fried chicken or home cooked meal.
Marty recently said his most cherished possession was his Bible. He is now in the presence of the Author and his family looks forward to seeing him again one day on the shores of that crystal sea.
Join us to celebrate Carroll's life on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, at Gearhart Funeral Home, 11275 Foley Blvd NW, Coon Rapids, MN, 55448. Visitation at 10 am, service at 11 am, and graveside will follow at Morningside Memorial Gardens in Coon Rapids.
