Florn Kay Martin

Florn Martin, 91, passed away on Thursday, March 31, 2011 at Valley Healthcare in Billings after a short illness. He was born in a log house at Nickwall, south of Poplar, on November 28, 1919 to Elmer and Hattie (Bridges) Martin. He was raised on the family homestead. Florn helped his father on the farm and attended Nickwall School. As a youth, Florn worked in the CC's (Civil Conservation Corps). He and his two brothers were also among those of the Greatest Generation who built Fort Peck Dam. His CC's adventures included putting power poles over Logan Pass near St. Mary lake. He could still climb a telephone pole (to take down a CB antenna for Rusty) in his sixties. Florn and Vivian Marie Barker were married on October 23, 1939. FLorn worked hard for various employers in the Poplar area while he was training in the evenings to be a welder. In 1942 Florn, Vivian and their first born, Allan, born in 1940, moved to Seattle where Florn welded in the shipyards. Their daughter, Cheryl, was born in 1943. In 1944, as the war raged, Florn was drafted into the army. Florn's boss offered to get him a deferment, as he was already welding on military ships in the Seattle shipyard, but, characteristically, Florn took what he thought was the right road, not the easy road. He chose to answer the call. He moved Vivian and the two kids back to Polar then went overseas to weld in the Philippines' and later in Japan. Vivian bought a home in Poplar, in which they lived for 63 years. FLorn and Vivian moved to Billings in 2007. After the war, they returned to Poplar where FLorn held a number of jobs, including being water superintendent for the city of Polar. He was a volunteer ambulance driver and served as fire chief for 25 years. Rusty was born in 1949. Florn once had to climb to the top of the water tower to coax down an inebriant that had the nerve to scale the tower but not to come down. This demonstrated a couple of things that others wouldn't do, just because they needed to be done. In 1963 Florn was inducted as Postmaster of Poplar, a position he held until retiring in 1982. Florn loved fishing, fixing things and generally, figuring out how to make just about everything work better. Florn and Vivian were both active in the Prebyterian Church and both served as Elders. FLorn was a member of the Order of theEastern Star and was a member of the Masonic Lodge. He was also a member of the American Legion, VFW and often played Santa for local kids. He survived by his wife of 71 years, Vivian, their three children; Allen (Carol) of Rhode Island, Cheryl Nogo of Arizona and Rusty (Juanita) of Billings; six grandchildren; elevan great-grandchildren and three great great grandchildren. Preceding Mr. Martin in death are his parents, three brothers and two sisters. A Memorial Service will be held at 10:00AM Wednesday April 6, 2011 at the Poplar Presbyterian Church.

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