Elaine Martyr, 97, passed away peacefully on January 24, 2021, in Burnsville, Mn. She was born in Clarks Grove, Mn on January 5, 1924 to Leonard and Mildred Ackland. The eldest of six children, Elaine spent her early years in Minnesota and Iowa. She married George L. Martyr in 1943 and they spent the next several years living on military bases in Arkansas and Virginia. They returned to Estherville in 1945 where their two sons George Mark and Stephen were born. The family also lived in Germany for several years when George’s unit was recalled to duty, returning to Estherville in 1954. Elaine was employed at Emmet County Bank until 1965 when she and George moved to Arizona and settled in the Valley of the Sun for 28 years. They returned to Minnesota after George’s retirement in 1993 to be near their sons. George passed away in 2004. Elaine remained a very independent resident of Eagan, MN until August 2019 when her failing health prompted her to move to Carefree Living Center in Burnsville.
Elaine was preceded in death by her parents and three sisters, Iris Baumgart, Ramona Bucher and Gloria Hanegraaf. She is survived by her two sons, Mark (Maryanne) of Estherville Iowa and Stephen (Elizabeth) of Eagan, Minnesota; five grandchildren, four great grandchildren; and two brothers and their spouses.
Elaine will be laid to rest by her husband at Ft. Snelling in a private family graveside service this spring.
