Gerald “Cheese” Duane Marten
Dec. 17, 1937-Feb. 4, 2021
OVERBROOK – Gerald “Cheese” Duane Marten, rural Scranton, died Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021, at Brookside Retirement Community, Overbrook. He was 83.
Cheese was born Dec. 17, 1937 in Wamego, the son of Lester and Wyvonne Marten. He lived in rural Alma during most of his early years where he graduated from high school. Cheese served as a Sergeant in the Army Reserves. He also attended K-State and competed in steer wrestling and calf roping as a National Intercollegiate Rodeo Member. K-State football was a favorite as well.
Cheese was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church, Vassar, which included a term serving as president. He worked for over 38 years as a mechanic at Goodyear, Topeka, and farmed in the Scranton area. Cheese was always willing to take on new side ventures, and for several years he raised greyhounds to race, and later dabbled in the horse racing industry. He also had a love of hunting and always looked forward to whitetail deer season where deer thrived on his land. He warmed many benches at rodeos watching grandkids and family members compete, and enjoyed attending any of his grandchildren’s activities or sporting events. He loved gathering around any supper table and visiting with friends, and supported every Dairy Queen in the area. He lived life to the fullest without skipping a beat.
Cheese married Lois Haefke Oct. 7, 1961, at Alma. Lois preceded him in death Oct. 31, 1997. Cheese married Judy Moeller Sept. 19, 1998, at Vassar. She survives in rural Scranton. Other survivors include three children, Todd Marten (Carolyn), Mankato, Minn., Wade Marten, Fulton, Mo., and Jayna Dyer (Monty), Ottawa; his sister, Peggy TenEyck (Jupe); five grandchildren, two step-children and four step-grandchildren.
Funeral services for Cheese will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 9, at Zion Lutheran Church, Vassar. Burial will follow at Mt. Zion Cemetery near Vassar. Cheese will lie in state 3 to 6:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 8, and the family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Feltner Funeral Chapel, Lyndon.
Memorial contributions may be made to Zion Lutheran Church, Vassar, or to the Parkinson’s Association, sent in care of Feltner Funeral Home, 818 Topeka Ave., Lyndon, KS 66451.
