Eileen Martinson

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Eileen May Martinson, 76, of Eau Claire passed away at home, surrounded by loved ones, in the early morning hours of Friday November 6, 2009. 
 

   She was born in Rosholt, SD to Hjalmer and Edith (Erickson) Peterson on May 31, 1933. They were a loving family of 3 girls and 7 boys raised on a farm just outside of Rosholt. The extended family included Uncle Lawrence (Mabel) Erickson and Aunt Karna Erickson. Eileen was baptized and confirmed at Bethania Lutheran Church in Rosholt. 
 
She graduated from Rosholt High School and played saxophone in Walter Rennerfeldt's band. After high school she attended and graduated from South Dakota State University at Brookings with a Home Economics Education degree. Her first job out of college was in Clinton, MN as a Home Economics teacher for the 1955-56 school year. 
   

Soon after arriving in Clinton she accepted an invitation by her girlfriend to go on a blind date with two local boys. Bernt Martinson was then asked by his friend to go on a two couple date with Eileen as his date. He had previously seen Eileen about town and anxiously agreed. After dating for the balance of the school year they were married in Bethania Lutheran Church on June 30, 1956. Their first home together was in Minneapolis where she taught crafts to homebound disabled people for Minnesota Homecrafters. 
 
She remained involved with crafts, painting with oils and acrylics, sewing, crocheting and knitting for the rest of her life. The day prior to her departure she gave her Doctor a hand crocheted washcloth. The Doctor said, "she would keep it but it was too pretty to use." Eileen said, "No, it's made to be used." She made many of her young daughters dresses as well as square dance dresses for herself and shirts for Bernt. They enjoyed many years square dancing with the Merry Mixers Square Dance Club of Eau Claire and with surrounding clubs. For many years she was a seamstress for The Bridal Shoppe, altering wedding gowns and formals. Many people are enjoying her handmade items from hats and scarves to handbags and quilts. Eileen also helped in the family business as bookkeeper and cashier. She was very active in her church having served on the first meal preparations team for the Wed. evening Trinity Series as well as helping with funeral luncheons and the quilters group. She will always be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend. 
 
She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Jayne Rinas; and brothers, Wilbur, Norman, Gordon, Milo, Merlyn and Dean Peterson; Surviving are husband, Bernt "Bernie"; daughters, Tammy (Tom) Bryan, Tracy, Kristine (Steve) Bien; son, Brian (Cheryl); grandchildren, Chris (Bianca), Jessica and Tyler Bryan, Hannah and Evan Martinson and Alexa, Andrew and Kaia Bien; sister, Maureen (Don) Simonson and brother, Darcy (Mary) Peterson. 
 
Visitation will be Sunday November 8, 2009 from 5-7 PM at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1314 E. Lexington Blvd. Eau Claire, WI 54701. Funeral Service will be Monday November 9, 2009 at 2 PM at Trinity Lutheran Church with visitation starting at 1:30 at church. Rev. Heather Wigdahl will be officiating. Private family burial will take place at Northern Wisconsin Veteran's Memorial Cemetery in Spooner, WI. 
 
In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to Trinity Lutheran Church or the charity of the donor's choice. Friends may offer online condolences at www.fullerspeckien.com. Fuller-Speckien-Hulke Funeral Home is assisting the family.