Phyllis Arlene Martinson, 95, passed away on Saturday, April 27, 2024 at St. John’s Community on Fountain Lake. A funeral service will be held on Friday, May 3, 2024 at 10:30am at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Alden. Visitation will be held from 5-7pm on Thursday, May 2, 2024 at Bayview Freeborn Funeral Home and for an hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be held at Alden Cemetery following the service. Reverend Kristi Mitchell will be officiating.

Phyllis Martinson

Phyllis Arlene (Frantum) Martinson was born on March 5, 1929 to Guy Raymond and Amanda Frantum. She grew up in the Alden area attending school there and graduating in 1947.

On July 8, 1948 Phyllis was united in marriage to Merle L. Martinson at the Wells Methodist Church. Phyllis worked at Ebert Plumbing and Heating in Alden and South Central Veterinary Clinic of Alden and Wells.

She was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Alden and very active in the church. She helped stitch the red hardanger paraments along with some other ladies from the church. Her hobbies were hardanger, sewing, knitting, baking, cards, dancing, dominoes, and doing puzzles. She was involved in her children’s school events making cinnamon rolls for many bake sales and always supported them in their activities. She was involved with Reader’s Theatre at Alden School, the Tuesday Study Club, and was a member of the Alden Legion Auxiliary. She moved to an apartment at St. John’s on Fountain Lake in 2017 to be closer to Merle.

She is survived by her son Ross (Carolyn) Martinson; daughter Linda (Dean) Mattson; grandchildren Tara (Brad) Haugen, Chad (Jenni) Mattson, Karen (Jeremiah) Cherwien, Kristen (Zachary) Willems, and Scott (Abby) Martinson; 18 great-grandchildren Blake, Anika, and Chase Haugen, Landon, Addison, and Caleb Mattson, Hannah and James Cherwien, Naomi, Thalia, Griffin, Evie, Cosette, Titus, Orla, and Axel Willems, and Isak and Linnea Martinson; in-laws Gloris Frantum, Gordon Martinson, Mary Ann Martinson, Gloria Kvale, and Jerry (Barb) Sveen.

She was preceded in death by her husband Merle on August 7, 2018; her parents Ray and Amanda Frantum; sister and brothers Luella (Leo) Hagmann, Ken (Marge) Frantum, and Clifford Frantum; in-laws Ingebrit and Gladys Martinson; stepfather Obert Sveen; Orin Martinson, Hazel Martinson, Phyllis (Bill) Quam, and Jim Kvale.

Memorials may be directed to Mayo Hospice, Redeemer Lutheran Church, St. John’s Lutheran Home, or donor’s choice.