Darrell J. Martin

Darrell J. Martin, 77, of Westminster, passed away March 7, 2016.
He was born October 24, 1938 in Ft. Yates, North Dakota, the son of Jerome and Mary Louise (Little Hawk) Martin.

He was a graduate of Flandreau High School in Flandreau, South Dakota.
On June 9th 1962 he married Sophia Jones.

He was a member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in Ft. Yates, North Dakota. Darrell was also a member of the Bricklayers Union in Denver. He was a Devout Catholic, and studied for the Deaconate. He was a former parishioner of Holy Family Catholic church and was heavily involved in the Kateri Tekawitha parish and Indian community, and a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Darrell had a long career with many jobs. The family left the reservation in order to find work. He began his career as a miner at the Home Stake Gold Mine in Lead, South Dakota. He took part in the building of the Oahe Dam in Pierre, South Dakota and also helped to build the Eisenhower Tunnel and many buildings in Denver. He then worked as a Bricklayer, Ironworker, and a Truck Driver. He also worked as a Manager at Safeway. He had a brief stint in the rodeo circuit, participating in Bull Riding and Saddle Bronc Riding events. While busy with everything in life, Darrell also owned and operated a lawn mowing business with his sons during the summer. Of all the jobs that he held, Darrell liked being an Ironworker the best.

Darrell enjoyed keeping in touch with his culture, taking his family to powwows, making leather belts and wallets, and keeping the Native American culture alive for his family. He also enjoyed bead working, listening to country music and listening to Lakota hymns. Above all, Darrell valued family and always made it a point to keep in touch with all of his relatives.

Darrell is survived by Four Children, Adrienne Ruth Martin, Darrell Scott Martin, Eric Joaquin Martin and Kristine L. (Matt) Etzenhouser; Seven Grandchildren, Camillia Rose Martinez, Ana (Aaron) Quintana, Nicole Martin, Alex Etzenhouser, Michael Etzenhouser, Zacoya Martinez and Yneece Martinez; Eight Great-Grandchildren, Makayla, Deanna, Vianca, Angel, Miko, Arien, Dominic and Iziik; Sister, Mildred R. (Michael) Corrigan; Aunt-Unci, Therese Martin; Two Nieces, Becky Femrite and Brandy Borgheinck; Three Nephews, Walter J. (Anne ) Beaver, Danial (Carol) Oren and Jason (Miranda) Oren; great-nephew, Jerome I. (Shannon) Martin; great-great-niece, Benecia Martin and great-great-nephew, Jerome I. Martin, Jr.

He is preceded in death by his Wife, Sophia Martin; Father, Jerome Martin; Mother, Mary Louise Martin; Brother, Joaquin Thomas Martin; Sister, Corrine A. Borgheinck; Sister, Cheryl I. Wolfburg and Niece, Myrna L. Martin.

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