Wallace B. "Wally" Martens

Wallace B. “Wally” Martens, 80, of Astoria, died Sunday, June 17, 2012, in Astoria.

He was born June 15, 1932, in Seaview, Wash., to Bertel Martens and Ines Martens Johnson. His father died when he was young, and he was raised by his mother and stepfather, Magnus Johnson.
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He attended schools in Astoria.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army, and served during the Korean War.

On Sept. 4, 1955, he married Janette Sullivan in Astoria. They later divorced.

On April 12, 1985, he married Karen Fisher in Reno, Nev. She survives, residing in Astoria.

Mr. Martens worked as a longshoreman for 46 years, retiring in 1997.

Family members said his hobbies included gillnetting, boarding horses at Martens Arena, crawfishing, hunting, wood cutting and farming.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Carla and Wally Sowins of Astoria; a son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Kelly Martens of Astoria; six grandchildren, Christina Sowins and Kory Knutinen of Astoria, Ashlee Martens of Portland, Kevin and Kayann Martens of Warrenton and Rachel Lackey and her husband, Dean, of Knappa; and a great-granddaughter, Ravyn Lackey of Knappa.

He was preceded in death by a son, Kevin Martens, Feb. 2, 2012; and a sister, Doris Takko.

A celebration of life gathering will be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Astoria High School Scholarships, ILWU No. 50 Account, P.O. Box 598 Astoria, OR 97103.

Caldwell’s Luce-Layton Mortuary in Astoria is in charge of the arrangements. An online guest book can be signed at www.caldwellsmortuary.com