Obituary for Melvin V. Martinek
Melvin V. Martinek, 88, died Tuesday, December 20th at his home in Garden City, KS. He was born February 18th, 1934, in Silver Lake, Kansas, the son of Vince and Mary (Dvorak) Martinek.
He grew up on a farm and held the highest regard for farmers and agriculture. After graduating from Silver Lake High School in 1952, Mel spent time in New Mexico working in an ore mine and awaiting his name to be called for the draft. He went through training at Fort Knox and served in the Army National Guard from 1957 to 1963. Mel received a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Economics from Kansas State University in 1961. He accepted a job with Metropolitan Life Insurance Company as an Ag Investments Consultant that he kept until he retired in 1999. Mel lived in St. Joe, MO, Silver Lake, Manhattan, Colby and Garden City KS. Proud of his Czech heritage, Mel loved polka dancing and kolaches. He was known for his wise counsel, financial knowledge, green thumb and love for his KSU Wildcats.
Mel’s faith was a cornerstone in his life. He was on the church board, attended Sunday school and participated in Bible studies. He valued volunteerism and served in countless ways in the church and community. He was member of the Shriners, Masonic Lodge, and the Garden City Zoo Board.
On July 27th, 1969, he married the love of his life, Leah Hudson, in Colby KS. They were married 53 years and enjoyed a lifetime of love, dancing and world travel. She survives. Other survivors
include two daughters, Melany & husband Mark Rude of Garden City, KS and Melinda & husband Barry Smith of Fort Collins CO, and his sister Marjorie McDaniel of Rossville KS. Mel had five grandchildren: Noah Rude & Wife Valery, Caleb Rude, Caitlyn Rude, Jack Smith and Charlie Smith, and one great-grandson, Ezra Rude. Mel is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Marvin Martinek.
A celebration of Mel’s life will be held at 3:00 on Friday, December 23rd at Turning Point Church of the Nazarene, Garden City, with Rev. Nathan Haeck officiating. There will be time to visit with family immediately following the service. The family suggests memorials to Turning Point Church of the Nazarene.
He grew up on a farm and held the highest regard for farmers and agriculture. After graduating from Silver Lake High School in 1952, Mel spent time in New Mexico working in an ore mine and awaiting his name to be called for the draft. He went through training at Fort Knox and served in the Army National Guard from 1957 to 1963. Mel received a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Economics from Kansas State University in 1961. He accepted a job with Metropolitan Life Insurance Company as an Ag Investments Consultant that he kept until he retired in 1999. Mel lived in St. Joe, MO, Silver Lake, Manhattan, Colby and Garden City KS. Proud of his Czech heritage, Mel loved polka dancing and kolaches. He was known for his wise counsel, financial knowledge, green thumb and love for his KSU Wildcats.
Mel’s faith was a cornerstone in his life. He was on the church board, attended Sunday school and participated in Bible studies. He valued volunteerism and served in countless ways in the church and community. He was member of the Shriners, Masonic Lodge, and the Garden City Zoo Board.
On July 27th, 1969, he married the love of his life, Leah Hudson, in Colby KS. They were married 53 years and enjoyed a lifetime of love, dancing and world travel. She survives. Other survivors
include two daughters, Melany & husband Mark Rude of Garden City, KS and Melinda & husband Barry Smith of Fort Collins CO, and his sister Marjorie McDaniel of Rossville KS. Mel had five grandchildren: Noah Rude & Wife Valery, Caleb Rude, Caitlyn Rude, Jack Smith and Charlie Smith, and one great-grandson, Ezra Rude. Mel is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Marvin Martinek.
A celebration of Mel’s life will be held at 3:00 on Friday, December 23rd at Turning Point Church of the Nazarene, Garden City, with Rev. Nathan Haeck officiating. There will be time to visit with family immediately following the service. The family suggests memorials to Turning Point Church of the Nazarene.