Marian Lowena Martin (Petsch)

Marian Lowena Petsch was born on February 28,1937 in Benkelman, Nebraska in her grandmother’s feather bed. Marian passed away peacefully on June 9, 2025, in Wheatridge, CO at age 88. Her parents, Dorothy Marie Petsch and Marion James Petsch were delighted to become parents. Her family moved to Riverton, Wyoming, where they lived in a one-room shack for eight years before building their permanent residence. After finishing high school in Riverton, Marian went to the National Business School in Rapid City, South Dakota. She graduated with an associate degree in business administration and worked in the banking, insurance, and legal industries. She worked in Oregon, South Dakota, and finally Colorado. In 1963, she moved to Denver, Colorado and worked as a legal assistant for Boyles, Volach, and Notariani. In 1963, she married her husband of 53 years, Sam Martin. Together they built a residential construction company primarily focusing on custom fireplaces, homes, and duplexes. Once married with four children, Marian stayed home to take care of the entire family. As a mom she was active with her children’s sports participation (baseball, softball, basketball, football, soccer, and skiing) and was a leader/active member of her daughters’ Brownie and Girls Scouts troops. She became known as the Girl Scout Cookie Queen for coordinating cookie distribution over six years. In 1981, Marian decided to go back to work as a tax preparer for H&R Block until she retired in 2001. However, she continued to manage the family business accounts and taxes until 2023. She enjoyed spending time with her friends and neighbors, gardening, quilting, crocheting, gambling in Blackhawk, CO, and watching the Colorado Rockies baseball games on TV. Marian led a full and enriched life. Marian is esteemed for her resilience, creativity, kindness, intelligence, and keen wit.

Marian is survived by her son, Daryl Martin; daughters, Sharon Martin (Robert) and Marcie Safe; grandsons, Cole and Joel Safe; and cousin, Rodney Petsch. Marian was preceded in death by her youngest son, Jimmy Martin; her husband, Sam Martin; her son-in-law, David Safe; and her best friend, Shirley Benson. Marian, an only child, regarded Shirley and Rodney as siblings.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Family Tree in Wheat Ridge, CO. https://www.thefamilytree.org/donate.

A celebration of Marian’s life luncheon will take place on Sunday, June 29, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at:

The Village of Five Parks Depot

13810 W. 85th Drive

Arvada, CO. 80005